Moving Away
Is It Possible to Create New Connections in an Alienated World?
I read an advice column letter from a woman who had moved out of state and hated the new place, but was locked in buy home ownership. She had no close friends in the new place and had failed to settle in.
I moved from my long time home in Northern California nine years ago after living there for forty-three years. I could never afford to buy there. And Northern California had changed. But I did leave everyone I knew behind.
The people commenting on the letter mentioned how hard it is to make friends or settle in when a person moves later in life after the kids are grown. Or to move away from family.
But I had no children and no close family. And I did make friends. As I will again the next time I move where ai don’t know anyone.
I may be an outlier. But I doubt I’m unique.
What are your thoughts? How easy would it be for you to start over from scratch? Does personality matter? Does being rooted by family, especially grown children, go into the equation?
I think personality has a lot to do with it.You, Annabel, have a wonderfully outgoing personality. I no longer do. I'm not a joiner; the volunteering I did with a few orgs was rewarding, but in the end, none of the friends I made were long-term (and I was vilified by both groups, so there was lots of betrayal). For me, it's almost impossible to meet new friends. I am a hermit with my dogs and lots of acquaintances. The thought of moving, for me, is not workable.
Join in with community projects:
• planting vegetable, fruit, flower gardens
• clean ups
•.Town Halls
• join with others who share your interests
• attend places of worship and help out
• go to community events and chat
• if you notice someone who needs help ~
help them
• see a need that fits your skills ~take it on
• feel and respond from the parts of you that are glad to be there
❤️