Making Friends After Retirement

Making Friends After Retirement

Making friends as you get older can be difficult – or so they say. At Robson Reserve, we foster an environment where residents can come together and form new friendships. Although it may look different than it used to, meeting new people does not have to be as hard as you think. Here are a few ways to make friends after retirement.

1. Don’t look farther than you have to – Sometimes things feel farther away than they really are. When it comes to making friends after retirement, we tend to forget about the people who live closest to us.  Consider inviting your neighbors over for dinner or ask them to meet up for a drink. At Robson Reserve, you can invite your neighbor for a swim in the community pool or schedule time at the salon together.
2. Join a social club or gym – Whether it’s the yoga class or the club meeting, these are great opportunities to make new friends. Oftentimes, people who come to these classes or meetings are looking to be social as well. It’s a great time to strike up a conversation about the activity you’re engaged in.
3. Remember, age is just a number – In our younger years, the seniors hanging out with the freshman was a bold and daring move. However, as we get older, age gaps between friends seem to matter less. Remember that you don’t have to be the same age as your friends. As long as you have something in common, you would be surprised to find out how little age matters when you have similar interests.
4. Find people with similar interests – Speaking of similar interests, this is another great strategy for meeting new people. Make a list of the five things you love to do most, or maybe things you have not done but are interested in doing. Then find a way to get involved. Maybe it’s something creative like participating in an art session or trying a new game like Mexican Train. At Robson Reserve, our activities team does a wonderful job of putting together a calendar full of fun activities and events.
5. Connect with old friends – Oftentimes we get so worried about making new friends, that we forget about the friends that we used to have. Try reaching out to a friend you haven’t talked to in a while, or someone you lost touch with but would love to talk to again.
6. Volunteer – People who support the same cause are more likely to make connections with the potential for deeper, lasting friendships. Think about a few of the causes that matter to you and find a way to volunteer. Not only will it give you a mood boost, but you may also come out with a new volunteer friend.
7. Get out of your comfort zone – Sometimes, the easiest way, even though it might feel like the hardest, is to ask. How often do we see someone walking alone, or a group laughing about something we’d like to join in on. Although the idea may be uncomfortable, walk up and introduce yourself. Ask to be a part of the conversation.
8. Say yes – Similarly, saying yes can be important when wanting to make new friends. Too often, we are invited to do things, but then come up with a million excuses as to why we cannot. Saying yes opens yourself to more opportunities to connect.

At Robson Reserve, your next-door neighbor might just become your new best friend! We encourage our residents to stay engaged with one another, and offer many activities, event and amenities to do so. Learn more about the lifestyle at Robson Reserve by calling 623-535-1613.