Month: May 2025

Retirement can be a time of deep fulfillment, freedom, and joy, but staying socially active is key to making the most of it. Are you newly retired or well into your post-work years?  Did you know that strong social connections can boost your mood, sharpen your mind, and even improve your health? Let’s explore some ideas to stay socially active in retirement that are fun, accessible, and perfect for building meaningful relationships.

Why Is Staying Socially Active in Retirement So Important?

Loneliness and isolation are common challenges in retirement. Without the daily interactions that come with work or raising a family, it’s easy to feel disconnected. But staying socially active can reduce the risk of depression, increase life satisfaction, and help keep your brain healthy. 

The good news? There are more ways than ever to stay connected, whether you prefer small gatherings, new adventures, or quiet companionship.

Volunteering Can Help You Stay Social

Volunteering is one of the most rewarding and social activities you can take on in retirement. Whether it’s helping out at a local animal shelter, tutoring school children, or lending a hand at your local library, giving your time puts you in touch with like-minded people and strengthens your community ties.

Try this: Check with local non-profits, local shelters, or websites like VolunteerMatch.org for opportunities near you.

Read more: Volunteer Travel for the over 50’s – Giving Back While Seeing the World.

Join a Club or Group

From gardening to book clubs to hiking groups, joining a club adds structure to your week and lets you share hobbies with others. Community centers, libraries, and even coffee shops often host regular meetups for retirees.

Idea: Not seeing a group that speaks to your interests? Start one! Chances are, others are looking for the same connection.

Read more: Forget the Wine and the Attitude! Here’s What Starting a Book Club Really Requires.

Take a Class

Retirement is the perfect time to learn something new. Enroll in a dance class, learn to paint, try yoga, or even study a new language. Many community colleges and lifelong learning programs offer courses designed for older adults.

Social Bonus: You’ll meet new people who are curious, engaged, and likely to become new friends.

Read more: Are You Embracing a Growth Mindset in All Areas of Your Life?

You Can Make New Friends in Retirement

Making friends as an adult can feel intimidating, but it’s absolutely possible. Start by getting involved in regular activities where you’ll see the same faces. Whether it’s weekly pickleball, Sunday brunch, or a walking group, friendships grow from repeated interactions.

Tip: Don’t be afraid to strike up conversations – chances are, others are also looking to expand their social circle.

Read more: Diversifying Friendships After 60: Why It Matters and How to Begin.

Traveling Can Help You Meet New People

Consider group tours, cruises, or travel clubs designed for retirees. Traveling with others gives you shared experiences to bond over.

Try this: Look for solo travel groups or women-only trips if you’re traveling alone and want to meet others with similar interests.

Read more: 7 Best Senior Travel Groups.

What About Part-Time Work or Freelancing

If you miss the structure of work, consider a part-time job or freelance gig in an area you enjoy. Working at a bookstore, consulting, or teaching a workshop can give you social interaction and a sense of purpose without the stress of a full-time job.

Bonus: You get to keep using your skills and share your knowledge with others.

Read more: Working in Retirement: The 3 Rs That Will Help You Find Your Passion.

Technology Can Help You Stay Social

Video calls, social media, online games, and virtual events can keep you connected even when you’re home. Technology can bridge the gap with family and friends who live far away.

Start here: Learn how to use Zoom, FaceTime, or WhatsApp – and consider joining private Facebook groups that match your interests.

Read more: 2025 Tech Trends – A Guide to the Digital World.

Host Events at Home

Hosting a potluck, tea party, or movie night is a simple way to bring people together. You don’t need a big space or fancy food – just a welcoming atmosphere.

Fun idea: Create a rotating dinner club with friends where each person takes turns hosting once a month.

Should You Consider a Senior Center or Community Hub?

Definitely! Senior centers aren’t just for bingo anymore – they often offer fitness classes, creative workshops, day trips, and discussion groups. They’re a great place to meet people who are in a similar life stage and looking to stay connected.

Look for: Listings in your city’s Parks and Recreation department or check online directories for centers near you.

Intergenerational Activities Can Keep You Socially Active

Spending time with younger generations, whether through mentoring programs or simply hanging out with your grandkids, adds richness to your social life and keeps you feeling engaged.

Explore this: Look into local schools, after-school programs, or Big Brothers Big Sisters for opportunities to connect with youth.

Read more: Top 12 Destinations for Skip-Gen Travel in 2025.

How Can You Stay Social Even If You’re Homebound?

If you’re not as mobile as you used to be, you can still stay connected. Invite neighbors over for coffee, sign up for phone chat programs (like those offered by senior services), or join virtual book clubs and online support groups.

Resources: Organizations like AARP and Senior Planet offer online classes and social events specifically for older adults.

How Often Should You Socialize in Retirement?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Some people thrive with daily social contact, while others prefer a few meaningful connections each week. The key is consistency. Try to build a weekly routine that includes a mix of solo time and activities with others.

What If You’re an Introvert?

Being socially active doesn’t mean being extroverted. Quiet one-on-one coffee dates, email or letter exchanges, or even walking your dog at the same time every day can build gentle connections without overwhelming your energy.

What’s the Best Way to Stay Social in Retirement?

The best way to stay socially active in retirement is the one that fits your lifestyle and brings you joy. Explore, experiment, and try something new. Social activity in retirement isn’t about filling your calendar – it’s about filling your life with people, purpose, and laughter.

Read more: Rewriting the Retirement Rulebook: How to Make Every Day Feel Like a Fresh Adventure.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Are you socially active in your retirement? Do you feel like you should be more social? What are your favorite social activities to do? How often do you participate in social activities weekly? Do you have any other ideas to share with our community? Tell us about it in the comments below. 

There are two sides to this.

There’s a voice in your head that doesn’t want you to rise. She second-guesses your choices. She whispers that you’re too much… or not enough. And she questions your dreams and reminds you of your mistakes.

You know her well.

I call my inner critic Judy Judy.

Yes, I gave her two names – because of course she needed a little flair for the dramatic.

She shows up when I want to try something new, speak up, wear bold lipstick, or take a leap.

And just when I feel ready, she swoops in with doubt:

• “Who do you think you are?”
• “That’s not for you.”
• “You’ll look ridiculous.”

But here’s what I didn’t realize for the longest time: That voice wasn’t born with me. It was shaped by life. And understanding where it came from? That was the first step to taking my power back.

Where the Inner Critic Comes From

Your inner critic isn’t random – it’s built over time. Maybe it started as a teacher who embarrassed you in front of the class. Or a parent who meant well but pointed out every flaw.

Maybe it was the magazines that told you what your body should look like… or the workplace where your ideas were dismissed.

Each one of those moments leaves a mark. And over time, they form a voice inside that says: Be smaller. Be safer. Don’t take risks.

That voice might sound like your own – but it’s not your truth. It’s a collection of past experiences, old programming, and fear trying to protect you from rejection or failure.

The Upside of the Inner Critic

Believe it or not, your inner critic isn’t trying to be cruel. She’s trying to keep you safe. She thinks if she keeps you quiet, perfect, or hidden, you’ll avoid getting hurt.

But staying small isn’t protection – it’s self-abandonment. Once you realize she’s just scared – not right – you can stop letting her lead.

5 Ways to Silence Your Inner Critic

If you’re ready to quiet that voice and step fully into the woman you’re becoming, here are five ways to begin:

1. Name Her (Then Call Her Out)

Give your inner critic a name – something that helps you see her as a character, not your truth. Mine is Judy Judy. She means well, but she’s overly dramatic and a bit stuck in the past.

Now when she starts in with her commentary, I say, “Okay, Judy Judy, not today,” and I move forward anyway.

It sounds playful, but it’s a powerful way to take your voice back.

2. Talk Back – With Truth

Your inner critic isn’t honest – she’s just loud. So meet her voice with actual truth.

If she says, “You always mess things up,” respond with, “Actually, I’ve handled a lot in my life. I’m still learning, and that’s enough.”

Your brain believes what it hears often. Make sure it hears your truth – not just her fear.

3. Remember: She’s Trying to Protect You

That critical voice is fear dressed up as helpfulness. She wants to keep you from being rejected, embarrassed, or hurt. But playing small to stay safe only keeps you stuck.

You can thank her for trying to protect you – and then make the brave move anyway.

4. Keep a “Proof List”

Create a running list of moments you’re proud of:

• The compliment that stuck with you.
• That challenge you took on and got through successfully.
• The time you spoke up, showed up, or kept going.

Call it your “Evidence File.” When your inner critic gets loud, open it and remind yourself: I’ve done hard things before. I can do them again.

5. Practice Self-Compassion, Not Perfection

You don’t need to get it all right. You just need to keep showing up with love – for yourself.

When your inner critic starts nitpicking your body, your choices, or your dreams, offer yourself the same kindness you’d give to someone you love.

Perfection is impossible. Self-compassion is powerful.

Final Thought

You are not too old. You are not too late. And you are absolutely not alone.

We all have an inner critic – but we also have the power to turn her volume down and turn our own self-trust all the way up.

The next time she shows up uninvited, remind her gently: You’ve got this. You’re evolving. And you’re becoming the woman you were always meant to be.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Is your inner critic scared, dramatic or stuck? Have you given her a name? How do you deal with her?

Life’s disappointments, sudden change, loss and grief seem to come in waves. They strike upon a calm beach and a peaceful mind out of nowhere, washing away all that once felt secure.

I’ve been basking in the sun for some time, feeling quite content. I didn’t expect it to last forever, but I was enjoying the stability until a significant change in my work life, the terminal diagnosis of a dear friend and the end of a cherished relationship struck within a week of one another. I felt dislodged like one of those helpless shells tossed about in the surf, disoriented and gasping for breath.

It’s difficult to right myself again, but turning inward, recognizing I have little choice or control allows me to focus on easing the discomfort and finding ways to cope, accept and adapt.

Writing Is My Way to Cope

Writing has always been my way of laying out a difficult situation so I can validate my emotions and seek my strength. This time, as I write, free streaming whatever presented itself, a provocative message surfaced, hinting perhaps that I have entered a new era of accepting life’s twists and turns, including the suspicion that as I age they will come more often and will probably jostle me a little more violently if I try to resist.

The reverberating theme of letting go, a familiar mantra of sorts, circled around several times. But I struggle with that analogy, feeling uncomfortable with the absence of security, as though I’ve come loose from my anchor and been set adrift.

However, I come into a sense of balance in the opposing options when my mind conjured up holding on as the juxtaposition of letting go. I probe deeper and write as the words of internal wisdom and guidance present themselves in a sort of to do list for peace.

Things to Let Go Of

The Need for Control

It’s a fallacy in most cases anyway and only leads to frustration.

Glorifying the Future

It will likely be very much like the present. Uprooting your life to relocate to an exotic island and write the next bestseller is a lovely dream that probably won’t come to fruition. Be open to pleasant surprises but strive to find the hidden treasures of your life as it is each moment.

Your Fierce Sense of Self-Reliance and Independence

Life might get even messier as time goes on and you may need help.

Things to Hold on To

True Relationships

This includes treasured friendships, true love and the joy of encounters with new and interesting people. Stay close, keep in touch, speak honestly and let your heart be open.

A Sense of Wonder

Let nature show you how it deals with change and learn the lessons.

Your Physical Abilities

Keep moving and stay agile to the best of your body’s capacity. Don’t get lazy just because it gets hard, but be kind to yourself as you move through the stages of growing old.

Compassion

Forgive people, accept their frailty and faults. When someone lets you down, try to remember all the times they came through for you, and accept they may be doing their very best this time.

Faith

It is possible that everything will turn out just as it is meant to, that tomorrow will be better and that you can find serenity in an uncertain stage of life. Keep trying.

The Peace Within

Take care of yourself, do what you can to calm the waters of your own mind, and stay grounded in your own perspective.

This may seem self-evident to some, to those farther along the path, well versed in how life unfolds over time and who have become more skilled in navigating the obstacles. But for me, it is a trove of sensibilities that will remain with me a long, long time. Hopefully, serving me well whenever the seas get rough, as I know they will.

I can’t help but wonder if every moment of sadness, every challenge presented, isn’t meant to be gathered up, kept at hand so when we meet the next hardship it feels more familiar and less tragic. If, perhaps, being tossed in the surf might put a more lustrous shine of that shell of the everyday so we notice how precious each one really is.

Time to Reflect:

How do you deal with the hard things in life? Do you know what to let go of and what to hold on to? What considerations are going through your mind as you age?

Their bad blood goes way back.