Building lasting friendships at any age

Companionship is essential at any age, and retirement marks a new stage of life that can bring up feelings of isolation as routines, daily life, and people around you shift. Whether you or your friends are downsizing, relocating closer to family, diving into nomad life, or busy with grandparent duties, many changes can be on the horizon. This can be a challenging time in our lives as we leave familiar surroundings and start over again. But it can be just as easy to make new friends later in life as when you were younger, and it’s never too late to start a new friendship 

Here are some tips:

Be friendly to others first

If you’re not the person in your group who initiates new activity, take a moment and consider how you can be more outgoing. Even if you’re shy by nature or tend to be reserved, it will pay off eventually when people think of you as someone they want to be around. What would you do today if you had more confidence?

Say yes more often than no when invited out with friends or family members. Try saying “yes” for two weeks straight—you may find that saying yes opens up opportunities for meeting new people and having adventures that would otherwise never have happened!

Find the right fit

Use the internet to find your people. There are lots of ways you can use the internet to find friends with similar interests in your area. Start by searching for local groups on Facebook or even more specific forums related to your interests (like “badminton players”). Don’t be afraid to join a group and try something new!

Ask your friends for suggestions. If you have a friend who always has plenty of people around them, ask them where they go! They may also have some tips on making connections easier. Remember that building lasting friendships takes time—and patience too!

Look outside the box

The idea of friendship is often thought of as something that happens naturally. You meet someone, and you hit it off. You like their sense of humour, style, and personality, and they like yours. So you spend time together regularly, and before long, you become close friends. But sometimes, it takes effort, commitment and stepping outside of our comfort zone.

Sometimes the best place to find new friendships is by trying new things and experiences — such as joining an art class or going line dancing. When we’re willing to try something new, we open up more opportunities to connect with others we usually wouldn’t cross paths with in our everyday life.

Seek help if you’re feeling lonely or unhappy

Loneliness can have negative physical and emotional effects on your health and well-being. Our federal health officials have now labelled loneliness and isolation as one of our aging population’s most significant health issues. So if you’re experiencing these feelings, you’re not alone. Talking to a friend, family member, or healthcare team member about your feelings might help you find a solution to your situation.

Consider retirement village living

Retirement villages are an excellent solution for social and active retirement living. If you’re single or a couple, retirement villages place you in the heart of an established community of people with similar interests and backgrounds. There are lots of social activities, including organised outings and events so you can get involved in your community. So if companionship is what you’re looking for, there are plenty of opportunities to make new friends within a retirement village community.

“Many comments from our new residents are around the friendships they have found in their first year at Treeview and how much they value the community.” – Andrew Egan (Treeview Sales Manager)\

Book your tour of Treeview Estates today and explore our friendly Lithgow neighbourhood.