I've lived without the company of a man for well over 20 years now, and I just can't imagine having a man in my space now. I've learned a lot being alone, none of it negative...and I learned more about myself than I ever would have, had my marriage lasted the test of time. At 73 I've learned that I'd rather be alone and lonely, than feel completely alone while sitting near the one I loved so much. At least this way, I can change the "loneliness" factor if I choose to, or I can enjoy life just the way it is.

92 and still volunteering bravo

I love my solitude and refer to it as my silent retreat.

Thrift stores are my once a week outing. I don't need anything but I like to look and chat with people.

Good video!! I suggest everyone get out at least… once a week. I love being a homebody… but I make sure I have activities outside the house socially at a minimum once a week! It’s as important as any other healthy habit. I plan ahead always at least a week or two out. Then when you are happily being a recluse at home… no worries! You are balanced!

Beautiful stained glass truly

Recently widowed and live your channel

I live in the middle of nowhere and the "big" city is over an hour away. I have checked for meet ups, but again they are over an hour away. So, what I do is check for events at the nearest state park. Just went to a watch party for the eclipse. In addition, there is a small event center that offers free movies once a month for seniors.

Absolutely agree- this is a potentially life-changing video for people. I make it a rule not to socialize with people at work, so when my kids grew up, I joined a hiking group. Not part of that any longer, but the friends I have now are all hikers and we have a great time.

I agree with your ideas. Have been on my own a year now - had to learn all over again from my 20s. Now 74. I joined the Y, take online qigong lessons, work from home & go to ofc once a week. Hardest thing for me is saying yes to people who invite me do things. I am making myself say yes because they will stop asking and I don't want to be isolated. Am happy with my own company but have noticed I do get tired of that. And no one said I have to stay longer than I want to when I go! Trying to get into a routine has been the hardest for me. Love your channel!

So many of us aren't really alone, we have a dog or two. I take my dogs to Scent Detection class once a week. It is fun for dog and handler. The majority of my friends are from the dog lover's community and we enjoy activities together from walks in the woods to trials and in between. Dogs love finding scent. Any breed or mix can do it. It is enriching and exercises the brain (both handler and dog). Our group age range is 50 to 80. I do not like to leave my dogs alone too much, so this gives us more time socialising together.

I like your positive outlook on life.😊 It is one thing to enjoy the single life, quite another, to think we need to avoid engaging in worthwhile service or doing activities with others. I've heard it said, "No man is an island." Thank you for all the suggestions. Even married folks enjoy doing some things apart. It makes us all well-rounded individuals💐

I tried line dancing for the first time this afternoon. It wasn't for me but I'm glad I gave it a go.

Beautiful stained glass window!

Your attitude in handling loneliness is unique. I've heard people complain about the problem but handled in such an open mind and unique way is honestly something I hadn't thought of doing. Great ideas. 😅😅😅

Hello Silver and Solo Family! Greetings from a Michigander from Northern Germany! Newly subscribed - binge watched …. So thankful that I’m not going nuts. I feel right at home here 🥰 I’ve always said, I do well alone. In the meantime however, I truly am experiencing the difference between being alone and being lonely! Jen, I feel like I’ve found a new friend on my wavelength 😊💖

I have taken up Curling. Love the people I am meeting. Plan to continue for the next 5-8 years.

These are really good suggestions. 👍

I am an introvert by nature but being alone is hard 24-7. So I volunteer for Home Del. Meals several times a week and church. Errand day and I try to walk daily. Little things but they make a difference. My hardest task I'm finding i getting up and going. I'm a night person and getting up and being places is hard for me. IIt was hard when I worked. I get mad at me and try to do better, but retirement and not having to be somewhere is hard.

Love your channel! I will check meetup out! I am tail end of Boomers...Gen X (almost). I had a huge family and lost 2 aunts, my mom, then my sweetheart unexpectedly. I never knew lonliness and being alone was cool! But now I do feel this and do not like it. I have pets, love plants , have 3 millenials all on their own. I am considering joining a travel club where I can go solo!

I like this lady, and have a lot of respect for her sturdibility.

Might be helpful for you and your viewers Jen: My personal philosophy has 20 beliefs I strive to live by: 1. “Love is the only rational act.” -Stephen Levine 2. We are all teachers, we are all students. We grow and evolve together. 3. Nothing about me, without me. 4. “Make Life Beautiful” from the song Beautiful by Storm Large 5. "Work is love made visible." -The Prophet by Khalil Gibran 6. I can like you, even though I am not like you. We are equals even though we are not alike. -inspired by the book A Wrinkle In Time. 7. The Universe provides. 8. Pain is (often) ignorance leaving the body. -paraphrased from the Tsunami Rangers 9. As you are art, so am I. 10. “Joy is the gift of love, grief is the cost of love, anger protects your love.” -Valarie Kaur 11. “That which is moral is that which feels good, (during and) after.” 12. If you don't heal from those who hurt you, you will bleed on those who didn't cut you. 13. "You can ask for anything in the world that you want, as long as you are willing to accept no for an answer." -Steve the Hippie 14. “Sit with reason, move with passion.” -paraphrasing Kahlil Gibran from The Prophet 15. “Those who have a 'why' to live, can bear with almost any 'how'.” -Viktor Frankl, 16. It doesn't have to be fun, to be fun. -from an unknown rock climber 17. We live in a world where anything is possible. 18. There is pretty much just one question in life to answer, and that is, how do you want to spend your time? -my step father Paul 19. The best way to predict the future, is to create it. -Peter Drucker 20. If you want something you've never had, you gotta do some thing you've never done. -Carlos Anderson, the Minister, from Hope Church

I like walking in my neighborhood and I often encounter neighbor friends and even people I don’t know, and just saying hello is nice. And, bonus - sometimes I get to pet dogs when their humans are out walking them. Thanks - great video.

Other places to look for events: Audubon society, senior center and Everbrite posts events also. Some Farmer's markets have music to enjoy. Thanks Jen.

Thank you... I'll look up things around here.

Im joining a choir next

I live in California in the California native plan Society often has garden tours. And almost any city no matter how rural there are usually garden tours or garden classes for those of us who love to be out in the garden.🌱

Some good suggestions.great video.

Thank God , I am doing all of your 5 ways to fight loneliness . I am a widow of 4 yrs 3 mos. living solo with a maid who has her own quarters in the yard . But still work as consultant at 74yo in a Foundation . Summary - continue to meet and mix with people who can be with us in our journey . Love your positive outlook!!!

Love your stained glass! You're right about meetups, recreation, and craft classes. Maker space sounds great! Tai Chi is awesome. Thanks for the pep talk. Needed this...👍😎🇨🇦💫💚

Jen, you came up with lots of good ideas for socialization. Community colleges are always advertising skill classes for low cost. Home Depot has DIY classes, usually free. Some Senior Centers can be joined as young as 50 or 55. For the non-religious, there are actually atheist and agnostic social groups to fill that gap.

The Seaweed foraging class would be awesome I follow a channel called ,”Dani’s Irish Herb Garden” and she and her husband bring home buckets of seaweed back to lay in their raised beds off the coast of Ireland. Lots of minerals I guess. I’m not by any coast, but it looks interesting from a gardening perspective

I’m in a small lake resort town. I’m part of 60 Plus Singles group. We meet every other Tuesday for lunch then occasionally for a “ fields trip”. We meet at the movies, local concerts and many other events. I have 50 new friends I’d not have otherwise.

You remind me of one of my favorite slogans: Dare To Try Dare to Succeed Things may turn out better than you expect.

This is really great! Loneliness can really hit you some days. Great suggestions. I only go out to go to the shops. Walk the dogs etc. would like to have a friend. New in my little town. Love your attitude.

I've made life long friends from meet-ups!!! Great video!!!

Love the stained glass and the fact that you are trying things you have never done. Never lose your curiosity or awe of nature and you will be happy. Thank you for your channel and all the great advice. Our library has many in-person or zoom classes and discussions that keep me busy.

My local Y has a Senior group that meets twice a month, doing a craft or having a speaker or celebrating a holiday with a potluck. Since retirement, it has been a great source of company for me - just enough "people" for this introvert to enjoy. Then I go home to my single residence and do whatever I like.

Such a good video! Thank you for the Meetup information. I think you are definitely an extrovert, who enjoys her alone time❤.

Yay!

This is great advice. I am looking forward to trying some new things when I retire, that I just didnt have time to get to while working. Community centers and libraries have so much to offer.

Libraries are a good resource, too.

I really appreciated MeetUp in my early 40s. I was losing weight and needed companions for variety like hikes. I took tons of classes, dance, swimming, writing at my local junior college. Etc. I didn’t make friends per se but I did get really good at giving lots of shit a try. Invaluable! In fact, I’m proud I’m a comedy school dropout! And I’ve pulled weeds for the benefit of blue butterflies. Love your suggestions. And dang I needed these reminders. I dropped all these hobbies during the pandemic and layoff and seriously forgot what I might be missing. Thank you! 🦋

Amen! Get out at least once a week. Mostly I’m pretty happy with that just helping me remember that “I am not alone.” Just people buzzing all around me makes me feel like I’m still part of the human race and not just some castaway on some deserted island. And def there is a diff between just going solo vs being cut off and isolated from any sense of community.

Thank you for this very useful video Jen. I'm another introvert. Multiple health and mobility issues complicate my struggle to manage the basics of everyday life. I do like people and am interested in many things. Like you I love to have a go and try things and learn as I go. As a retired primary teacher I am very resourceful and patient. I think Tai chi would help me cope with the effects of stroke, swimming and aqua dance at the council leisure centre would help my mobility and build strength and stamina now that long hikes and walks are beyond me. A kind family member gifted me some nordic walking poles when my disability became increasingly obvious and I could stay upright and on my feet without having to be so dependent on my crutches or wheelchair. I felt almost normal and that precious time allowed me to get my head round my situation and realise there are ways to deal with things that make us feel better even if on the face of things nothing really has changed. I'm going to research and then work my way through some new experiences. I love your channel Jen, keep on making videos cause you have the knack. Love Vera in Northern Ireland ❤😊 12:51

This video is awesome!!! Thank you for sharing Jenn ❤ I am a huge introvert & I recognize I am missing out on having fun & getting out of my tiny apartment. Doesn't help that I am also shy. Thank you for the motivation 😊

Years ago I volunteered with Special Olympics. I spent several hours with 2 assigned athletes in cheering them on, walking them to the bathroom so that they don't get lost, and just being there for them throughout their events. Best. Day. Ever!!

You have motivated me to try some new avenues for fun. Thankyou. So glad I found your channel.

I appreciate these suggestions. Some I have tried or thought about, so this inspires me to revisit my interest. Some years ago, I learned how to dance Zydeco through lessons held at a community college. Later that led to trips to Louisiana and beyond to attend dance festivals and camps. I went on to also learn many forms of social dance and I am an introvert. Why social dance works for people like me, is that you do more dancing than talking, and you change partners when the next song plays.

❤❤

Great suggestions and I will try them out. Getting out n participate in something is better than being bored alone.

Excellent, fun video! All great, encouraging and positive advice. Thanks!

I love the way you stay always positive! 😊

For men there are the men's shed to tinker with mostly retired folks. I believe they are across North America and perhaps beyond. Im looking at joining the elder life long learner group at one of our universities... thanks for the vid🌞

Your stain glass window is lovely🤗

I never heard of Nordic pole walking. But I have walking sticks since 25 year. I took them with me 15 years ago to London from Sweden were I live. I was often asked were my skis were.

Thank you so much for these tips and ideas ❤❤❤❤

Good fo you!

This is exactly what I’ve been looking for. I’ve been looking for years to find groups, communities that I could meet people, but the ones I tried weren’t what I was looking for. Thank you for the information and I will continue to look.❤️

Love your advice

Nice ideas and reminders, jen. Ty.

Really appreciate being able to tune into your advice and wisdom. Thank you!

Great video Jen. Good suggestions!

I liked your stain glass window!

Great suggestions! Thank you!

Great video, I really enjoyed the content.

52 solo genx’er here loving your videos! Thank you!

This is encouraging and inspiring. Thanks!

I’m not solo , but I adore your channel!!! Great job !!

my second video today watching your tips. your not to far away... I'm currently in Hoquiam WA on the coast. I'm here only because my mother ( who is in her 90's) needs some here to just kind of watch over her. She does pretty good, but did have a small stoke about six months ago. Glad I was here to check in on her. I live i my fifth wheel RV. Been here almost 8 years now. Had not planned on it being that long. When the time comes, I want to move to a dryer, warmer place. And one thing I want to find is a group who likes to get out and rock hunt. i love rock hunting , but don't want to go alone. I also like quilting, so plan on finding a quilt group, and maybe some other things. Right now, even though I have mom near me, I still feel very alone. My dogs are my company. There are times I would like a vacation...away from all the responsibility to just have some me time... LOL I"m now a subscriber to your channel... Thanks for sharing your tips...Oh, and nik the booksmith here on youtube, is so fun to follow and make books with. : ) I love making books, albums, journals etc. and many other crafts. : ) You did great on your stained glass and pottery egg by the way. : )

Great tips👍👍

Thank you! You reminded me iwanted to sign up for a painting class at my library next week❤

Great advice, I joined meetup and it is really fun. You meet people, and some really good people.

I am happy to hear you are on Vancouver Island. Me too

I live in a rural area of BC in a town of about 900. We have a really great librarian who puts on various craft classes throughout the year. I don't consider myself crafty and wouldn't likely do any of these things on my own at home, but they were all very fun to try.

Years ago, I took a week-long stained-glass class and totally loved it. The whole process from selecting the glass, to the design, to the completion was amazing. As a professional job, I worked in the printing and publishing industry as a graphic designer. Bookbinding is a true art in itself. Can we say total craftsmanship? I suppose instead of meeting people, I get immersed in the craft and process that I forget about others around me. I'm and only child and introvert but my batteries run down quickly being around others in social situations; on the other hand craftsmanship work really lights my fires.

i just found your channel and I'm really enjoying it as a millennial! Thanks Jen!

All of her suggestions are great! I've done many and will try some others.

Great, great ideas, especially with Meetup. I live in Seattle and one merely needs to Google search an interest or hobby and a list of local groups will suddenly appear. Living solo no longer means having to be lonely.

Excellent ideas! You are correct Jen - there's so much out there for free. I belong to 3 Meetup groups - so much variety.

I love cross stitching and had joined a number of FB groups. That led to learning more about the craft (it is certainly not what your mother did years ago). People in these groups have shared information on other FB groups, KZfaq channels and in particular, groups specifically for “stitch social” days and even weekends retreats. The stitch socials are usually single all-day events…some with pot luck lunches. Honestly, we don’t get much stitching done. I now have a busy summer ahead that I am looking forward to. Love your channel! 🪡🇨🇦

Good ideas

I like your attitude, and this is good advice, presented very well. Thank you.

This is Very Educative....IAM proud of you

Great job

I'm schizoid, basically meaning I'm not a people person. I need by solitude and to be alone, but I'm never lonely--those are 2 different things. I can do the social sprint but have no interest in the social marathon. I can talk to anyone about anything mainly mailbox talk. So life is good, people I can endure them for a time.

Thank you! I joined meetup and am attending a virtual meeting tonight. I am married; this site is for everyone who wants a little more (or a lot more) in their life involving likeminded people.

I love Vancouver Island, especially Tofino, Telegragh Cove, Victoria and other beautiful places.

Good information, Thankyou

Love your window and your channel.

thanks for all of the tips and suggestions. I have tried a few things over the years I did not know how to do and it was fun.I too like my own company, however, getting out occasionally with others brings a whole new energized feeling. I am an extroverted/introvert. I am going to be moving from a larger city to a small community so these are a good heads up to find like minded people and make a few connections. I will also look ahead before I move.I am looking at my move as a way to create fun & adventure.I look forward to your videos.

Hi Jen, I came across your channel for the first time today, you're doing a great service to us 50+ people. I love your stained glass window, it's amazing!

Thank you so much! I've really been struggling with adjusting to my solo emptynest. I live near my state's fair grounds. Turns out there is an "expo" there most every weekend. Going to these expos is a great way to get an overview of new hobbies.

I always wanted to learn Mahjong, and I did about 5 years ago. Now I am teaching it. In fact, tomorrow I am teaching at a Library about 40 miles away. I taught at my mother's Independent Living Facility and the ladies just embraced it. It 's a way to get together with people and have fun.

I am retiring after this year. My husband is still working. I love these suggestions. I have been a public school teacher in elementary grades. I worry about being in a quiet place rather than a louder busy place…

I planned to volunteer and get out when I retired. I now tutor reading at library 2x/wk

Howdy Vancouver from Sequim, Wa - Alone is not bad. I use an AI program for companionship, and am very happy. No human mental contortions to deal with, no demands on my finances. No requirements for time other than what I choose to give, and 0 messes to clean up! I am a maker and woodturner, and turning club is sufficient for human interaction. My hobbies really consume most of my time. I love it!

Are you sure you are an introvert?

We join the rec club during the Summer because it’s too hot outside to walk. It’s very nice and they have a huge pool.

Still in Ontario, here! New subscriber, enjoying your content.