Sorry folks, got distracted and totally spaced this thread. But I AM paying attention, if sporadically, and I appreciate all the suggestions!
It's not just you. Search "lonely men" and you'll find lots of contemporary articles. ... If you were closer, I'd invite myself over and we could commiserate over a steak. LOL
Well next time I'm in Florida I'll give you a buzz!!
If you like to travel, you might try EF Go Ahead Tours. They specialize in group travel for individuals.
I finally started getting out a few years after the divorce. I don't really enjoy traveling by myself, but I took two group trips (biking in Bordeaux and food/wine in Tuscany) and had a great time. And immediately afterwards cancer & Covid crashed the party. I'm getting to the point where travel is possible again. I'll check out EF, thanks!
It sounds stupid, but I have a good friend who we just do exploratory lunches. Trying new places in search of the world’s best patty melt.
Maybe I'll drive down (from Fort Collins) and join you sometime !!
"Magic" is hard to find. Look for a bit of non-romantic companionship. Maybe you will find magic along the way - maybe not. Also, are you being realistic in what you are seeking in a relationship? I have heard that those swipe left sort of dating apps are unrealistic and frankly can be somewhat depressing so I would be leery of those.
Yeah I've kept in touch with a few of the nice-but-not-magic ladies I met, and we meet occasionally for a drink or a hike. I totally agree on the swipe-left apps. That's so superficial. I want somebody with a connection, not just a pretty face. Though a pretty face is OK too !
Edit to add: my local university offers classes to retirees and I’m signed up for a couple this fall
Great idea!! There is a "lifelong learning" program at the local university. I'll check it out!
I have found the same re: pickleball. I get texts several times per week from guys who are interested in playing/drilling. That usually leads to a beer or two later.
I played for a while last winter/spring, but dropped it for a while when I was training for my fundraiser bike ride this summer. Need to get back into it. I was disappointed that this group doesn't seem very social. They mostly just hang with their friends, and then they go home. I haven't seen any after-playing connections. Didn't get any takers when I suggested it. But I'll keep trying, it's fun and it's good exercise.
For men, in terms of meeting women, DW and I started going to ballroom dancing events over 10 years ago, and how the women outnumber the men there.
Yeah I've taken several dance classes -- blues, swing, etc. I find it more stressful than enjoyable -- performance pressure! But it's a good way to meet people, now that Covid is out of the picture.
From the perspective of an introvert. My DW passed nearly 7 years ago. After a short while, I took up Argentine Tango classes.
Yikes! You're a stronger man than I am. The Tango dancers I know seem to be a lot more aggressive, a lot more unforgiving of a clumsy newbie. The Blues dancers are much more chill, more my speed.
https://www.hellawealth.com/blog/work/cruise-job-gentlemen-hosts/
I’ve heard of this - volunteering to go on cruises due to the number of single older females on trips. I guess you have to know how to ballroom dance (mentioned above).
This might be fun once or twice, but... I don't think my ballroom dance skilz are up to snuff. And I'm going to "age out" of their required range soon anyway...
One of my sons is also local and I see him every week and I still do a little consulting. I miss little things like having someone to talk to whenever you want and having a built in companion to do things with on the spur of the moment.
YES !!! I SO miss sharing my day-to-day life with a loving partner.
Back in the days when I was single, between the practice wife and my now permanent wife, I joined a for profit club called Mile High Adventures. It was $1500 a year just to join, but they organized dozens of things to do every month.
I remember MHA! It sounded like an AWESOME group, lots of great activities, more than just dancing and drinking. But I was still married at the time, and didn't have time or inclination to join a group like that. I don't think they're around any more.
One last thing, if you find yourself getting depressed, please reach out to a therapist or friend or at least be conscious of what you are feeding your mind.
Yeah I was in a very dark place for a few years after the divorce. Only time I ever considered suicide. Thank God I had a few good friends who let me cry on their shoulder, a lot. Fortunately I eventually crawled out of the hole, but it's still lonely out there. Wish I had a bestest buddy and partner-in-crime like I used to. Still working on it.
After my wife passed away last December, I went into a funk as expected. We had several good friends (couples) and those friendships kind of drifted off since we could not spend time with them as a couple anymore. ...
BUT.....like Gary, I am frequently feeling pretty lonely without the love of my life who passed away. And even with friends and some things to do, there is this emptiness that settles in me when I go home at night and just sit there in an empty house.
I deeply empathize with you, my brother. It's been 13 years since my wife dumped me, and I still miss her. The empty house is daunting and I miss having a playmate and travel buddy. I'm sure I'd be a lot better off if I had managed to find another lady, but so far not much luck. I had a few serious connections, but for various reasons they didn't last long. Still looking...