Cheap/free ways to meet people and make friends!

getmore4less

katy721 wrote: »

I need to have a good look through meetup.com but it does look like there are a few interesting groups on there.
!

I looked at my local meetup and given the short time they have been going they seem well motivated.

Newer members seem to go to quite a few things so are obviously happy with the way it works.

Millie2008_2

Katy :cuddle:

Try the BIGGSD forum - don't know if you're in the South East but there are often group walks arranged where a spare pair of hands is needed to walk one of the rescue dogs looking for a new home. That way you'll feel involved, you'll have to mingle with at least a few people (the rescue dogs/walkers tend to hang back in a group) and you never know, you may meet your new best friend.

Thanks, I'm in the Midlands, but will see if there is anything local to here I must admit that I keep seeing people walking their GSDs and have to fight the urge to stop the car and ask if I can say hello to their dog. Because that wouldn't make me look bonkers.... at all....

Wellyboots6

Violetta I am hoping that I will like the people there. There were a couple of groups to choose from, and this one looked like the most 'social' whereas the others looked very 'professional'. We will see though. And I can feel very MSE on Monday too as my first lesson is free

krlyr I have found a jewellery making class I would love to do but its a bit too expensive at the moment, so maybe a free adult education course might be the way to go. Running out of free evenings now though to squeeze things in, with all my new plans!

FizzledOut I have put my name down for my first Meetup Its a day long walk near here which should be good. I also put my name down to car pool for it so hopefully that will give some opportunity to chat to people (they can't really sit in my car in silence, unless they are really rude!).

getmore4less I am not sure he did see it coming, he was too busy getting intimately acquainted with half the local population! Apparently he didn't struggle to make 'friends'!!

Thanks Millie2008 I had a look on BIGGSD forum as I am in the Midlands too but didn't see any local walks yet. I also joined Dogsey on krlyrs advice and they seem a lovely bunch on there I shall be keeping my eye out now for bonkers people stopping their cars to say hello to my dog!!

Thankyou again everyone for your support. It is meaning a lot, especially at the moment as I am having a day of alternating between crying and cleaning!!

Wellyboots6

Just been reading suspiria's How to Mend a Broken Heart thread and a lot of what people say on there makes sense, so may give a few of those tips a go too.

I am determined that once I am over this period in my life I will start focusing on what makes me happy, and not give up friends and activities for somebody else.

Pinzy

Good on yer :T

Wellyboots6

I have found a couple of things to do through the tourist information shop.

Got myself booked on a couple of local guided walks.

I just really need to make sure I go and don't chicken out at the last minute. My confidence in social situations really has taken a huge knock

getmore4less

getmore4less I am not sure he did see it coming, he was too busy getting intimately acquainted with half the local population! Apparently he didn't struggle to make 'friends'!!
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I guess I am just worrying about being lonely. Just about to walk away from a relationship and am a bit apprehensive about being alone.
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Picking up on this point,

Have you thought about what aspects of having this guy around stopped you feeling lonely.

You say you work from home a lot, is there anything in your work life you can do to increase interaction with people. Is there time to increase income or maybe a second part time job that is more interactive.

Probably a bit soon but do you have a spare room, maybe consider a mon-fri lodger.

Any jobs need doing around the place now might be the time to focus on some of those.

I would also be carefull not to overloads yourself with things, trying to fill as much time as possible, having something you realy want to do to look forward to can keep you going, I hate it when I don't have a holiday booked.

One thing I do to break a day at home when nothing planned is hit tesco at the time they reduce everything and do the missprices check(see grab it board) bit of air and cheaper food, helps to have freezer.

Wellyboots6

I don't know that it was necessarily having him around that stopped me feeling lonely, as he 'worked' a lot and so I didn't see him all the time. I think it was more the idea of having someone there for me that stopped me feeling lonely. Like if I wanted a chat or thought of something funny etc it was somebody to ring or text. Also if I got invited to nights out or events I could accept the invitation without having to first wonder about whether I would know anybody else there etc as I would have someone to go with.

I don't have the time for a part-time job really. I was looking at doing some bar work (which I am still considering) but it would only be one night a week really.

The house isn't really suitable for a lodger, and dog would be most unimpressed at having to share his home!

I am doing odd jobs when I get chance now. I put off doing so much because ex would get mardy if I wasn't totally focussed on him 100% of the time, and so a lot of DIY and housekeeping got neglected. The day he left I shampooed all my carpets for the first time since I moved in!

The Tesco idea is a good one, I think I might adapt it though and start visiting a local butchers, greengrocers etc to break up the day. That way I can do my shopping (and get more for my money) and also meet local people at the same time

Wellyboots6

Going out with an old friend tonight

Wellyboots6

We had a lovely time and both met some new people. Doubt we will see them again but was nice to talk to some new faces

Got a guided walk this evening which should be good if the weather stays nice.

I feel like challenging myself to do something today but not quite sure what yet!