Is it important for older people to go out on the weekends? I find that my social needs have changed a lot during the pandemic. But sometimes I feel I “should” be going out every weekend. How about you? (I’m aware I’m writing this on a Saturday night!)
At 66, I too am retired! I go out everyday. I run or walk every morning, most of the time after showering I’m back out to get food, visit my 96 yr old Mom, go for a ride to read somewhere quiet or meet friends and I attend AA meeting always. If I’m out at least 4 hours a day I’m ok. When I have nothing to do I’m bored. I do not like watching TV!!!! There’s a “quiet” out in the world that has not gone away since this pandemic!!!!!!!!!! To me nothing is normal anymore.
I don’t usually go out on the weekend since places are busy. My normal going time out will be during the week. I’m retired so the week is better for me at this point of time. I have less need to go out nowadays. Plus restaurants are upping their prices so it adds up with a few dinners out.
Our friends have foudn ways to get togther outdoors at least once or twice a week , taking walks or having a glass of wine in a public park in late afternoon .
Not only have I been dealing with the isolation of the pandemic, but had just moved to a new city , leaving my social network behind and then the first two friends I met here both moved away. Struggling to stay upbeat.
The pandemic gave me permission to be the homebody, hermit I was always comfortable being. Now retired, my career meant I had to interface with multitudes of people every day, for 50 yrs., now it’s over I’m quite happy to continue to stay home.
It did change me in that I've returned to seeing close friends regularly with more intention and gratitude. Weekly weekend activities are drawing with one friend every Saturday for a few hours then a swim afterwards, and a leisurely Scrabble game on Sunday afternoons with another. While this is nothing remarkable, it feels particularly delightful on the heels of the extreme isolation I felt.
that’s a double whammy, Carol. Have you found any ways to ease the isolation?
At 66, I too am retired! I go out everyday. I run or walk every morning, most of the time after showering I’m back out to get food, visit my 96 yr old Mom, go for a ride to read somewhere quiet or meet friends and I attend AA meeting always. If I’m out at least 4 hours a day I’m ok. When I have nothing to do I’m bored. I do not like watching TV!!!! There’s a “quiet” out in the world that has not gone away since this pandemic!!!!!!!!!! To me nothing is normal anymore.
I don’t usually go out on the weekend since places are busy. My normal going time out will be during the week. I’m retired so the week is better for me at this point of time. I have less need to go out nowadays. Plus restaurants are upping their prices so it adds up with a few dinners out.
Our friends have foudn ways to get togther outdoors at least once or twice a week , taking walks or having a glass of wine in a public park in late afternoon .
Not only have I been dealing with the isolation of the pandemic, but had just moved to a new city , leaving my social network behind and then the first two friends I met here both moved away. Struggling to stay upbeat.
The pandemic gave me permission to be the homebody, hermit I was always comfortable being. Now retired, my career meant I had to interface with multitudes of people every day, for 50 yrs., now it’s over I’m quite happy to continue to stay home.
It did change me in that I've returned to seeing close friends regularly with more intention and gratitude. Weekly weekend activities are drawing with one friend every Saturday for a few hours then a swim afterwards, and a leisurely Scrabble game on Sunday afternoons with another. While this is nothing remarkable, it feels particularly delightful on the heels of the extreme isolation I felt.