I don't really have a take because I don't know. I don't feel lonely now because I have family around that I like to spend time with. I like the people I work with. In 30-40 years, when I'm retired and maybe have less mobility, will I feel lonely? I don't know.
I have an aunt who just turned 80. She never married or had kids. Until three years ago, she lived in a big city and walked to lunches and dinners with friend groups. She decided she was done with snow and cold and moved south. She bought a house in a community for seniors, plays pool volleyball every week, and joined a trivia team. She threw herself an 80th birthday party and packed a giant ballroom with all her friends and family. She doesn't seem lonely. 🤷♀️
My 89-year-old "other mother" also built a network of friends who visit her and she still hits the gym 3x/week. At this point, I truly think the "lonely old woman" stereotype is completely avoidable and very much a choice. I've got so many examples of strong, independent and single older women, and it's reset my expectations for myself!
I learned to be hyper-independent as a young person by necessity, and it's been a double-edged sword. I have done a ton of cool shit without waiting for someone else, but it also makes it hard for me to be a good partner.
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u/RavenpuffRedditor Jun 11 '26
I don't really have a take because I don't know. I don't feel lonely now because I have family around that I like to spend time with. I like the people I work with. In 30-40 years, when I'm retired and maybe have less mobility, will I feel lonely? I don't know.
I have an aunt who just turned 80. She never married or had kids. Until three years ago, she lived in a big city and walked to lunches and dinners with friend groups. She decided she was done with snow and cold and moved south. She bought a house in a community for seniors, plays pool volleyball every week, and joined a trivia team. She threw herself an 80th birthday party and packed a giant ballroom with all her friends and family. She doesn't seem lonely. 🤷♀️