My first moan

[moodmusic]

Hi All,

I am not totally isolated (have some friends) but lost some very important ones in the last few years, this has effected my 'self image' and confidence leaving me pretty low. The friends I have lost are people I used to have a real laugh with when ever we met. Now I am lucky if I have a good laugh in a month! I don't particularly have the confidence to 'just go out and get a new set of friends'. I suppose I have an underlying feeling of 'what's wrong with me ?' - due to the fact that these long term friends have dumped me. I had depression before this happened but this has made it very hard to enjoy life. I am trying to get back into work - I am finding it very difficult (I am 56 - have been told I look much younger)

[MAS_Nurse]

Hi moodmusic,

Welcome to our community. It sounds like you are having a difficult time at the moment. Maybe it's time to have a chat with your GP about your feelings and discuss treatment options to help elevate your mood. Also, consider joining a local mental health support group or one associated with any hobbies you like as this is a great way to make new friends. Often there are local community groups advertised in your local library.

Hopefully, you'll find folks here are very willing to come alongside each other to offer advice and support. Take time to familiarize yourself with our Terms of use, Community Guidelines, as well as our Pinned Posts section which includes free mental health guides, and international crisis support helplines: healthunlocked.com/mental-h...

Ok, folks please pop by and welcome this new member onboard!

Keep in touch.

Best wishes,

MAS Nurse and Moderator

[moodmusic in reply to MAS_Nurse]

Thanks! MAS

[Hidden]

Hello Moodmusic

At fifty six, I am nearly sixty nine, long term friendships we keep over the years become rare, most friendships can be ships that pass in the night When we moved from our family town we lost contact of those my Fathers family friends had known since 1930, we had kept friendships with the families, their children. Where we are now, sixty miles away we have to make new friends, associates, old friends are still rare especially if they have died or moved many to other parts of the world. So it is important to understand we all go through life changes, things change. Real friendships are rare although sweet.

In ways I feel the same, we have discussed this together and have felt the same way, we my Wife and I the loss associated with long friendships, so now we have different interests that have become quite insular and it is sad although understood. I have no suggestions other than take up Night Classes, of your interests and you will meet people who are, like you who are looking for friendships. Try ballroom dancing , Latin American etc. That may help

Our Hobbies through the summer period take up most of our time we are members of the National Trust, English Heritage and we visit various properties and gardens, we interact with people who have similar interests. These people are not real friends.

As we get older real friends are like hens teeth

BOB