Loneliness

TripleH

I have a friend who works from home.

He ended up with a job in a pub partly because he had moved to a new rural area to meet people and partly because if he didn't work behind the bar it would probably be shut. He sees it as doing a bit of service for the community as he has a well paid job he does remotely.

prettyandfluffy

Go to your local library and read the notice board and commit to doing something. Many local areas have a walking group that meets once a week for a short walk, that would be a good starting point.  Promise yourself you will do it and move forwards. Good luck. 

MalMonroe

Hi, there are some really lovely suggestions here.

Wherever I've lived in the UK (and overseas too for that matter, I've lived in a few different places) -  there has been at least one 'community notice board' in the area which has details of groups or meetings that happen throughout the week and at weekends too if anyone wishes to participate. 

My neighbours (the cul de sac where I live only has 14 properties) are all friendly and helpful and, having previously lived in an awful area with terrible neighbours, I really do appreciate them. If you have some spare time in the day, could you go outside and potter a bit? I'm not even suggesting gardening here, just pottering so that if a neighbour passes by you could just say 'hello'. It's a start, anyway and the weather's being kinder right now.

We also have a couple of pubs in our village and one of them is like its own little community centre. Not that I'm suggesting you should start drinking if you don't, or anything like that. I rarely drink alcohol but everyone is always welcome in a local pub - or is that just me? You don't even have to be someone who makes friends easily to have a chat. 

When lockdown began, some local people started a group on Facebook so that people could still keep in touch and I joined that. They advertise everything that's going on in our small area. From toddler groups to pensioners' fun days. There may be something like that in your area. The group is still going strong and now people are selling on there and advertising their businesses, etc. 

If you can manage to get out for a regular short walk then, as others have said, it makes you feel better. Again, with the weather improving that's more of a possibility. And then you may start seeing the same people around - a friendly smile, even if you don't want to speak to any of them, really does cheer you up, especially if you are the one smiling. (I know that from personal experience of coping with crippling shyness when I was much younger and overcoming it by deciding I was going to communicate with others. Most people are happy to exchange a smile or a friendly 'hello'  at the very least.)

And yes, if you do work exclusively from home, have you thought seriously about moving back to live near family? 

Could you email or chat online to any of your work colleagues, out of working hours? You never know, one or two of them may also be feeling as you do.

I hope some of this is helpful. If not, please do ignore!

(The programme that @lr1277 mentioned above, is on BBC iPlayer now. if you think it may be of help. The title is "The truth about improving your mental health".)

p00hsticks

Not appropriate at the moment for the OP, who says they are still working, but for those who are entering their 'third age' of full or partial retirement, I can recommend looking to see if there is a u3a group near you to get out and about and meet people. They are local independent organisations (joined by a national network) that run a variety of different interest groups  - mainly during the day on weekdays - depending on what skills and interests their members have. 

pollyanna24

I have two teenage daughters, but also work from home and was finding myself cut off a bit, so when I saw a job advertised in a local supermarket on Facebook, I decided to go for it.  It's only a few hours a week and even though it's more work, because it's so different from what I normally do, I actually quite enjoy it.  And it's extra money, win win!

Longwalker

Back in the day when I lived alone and miles away from family, who I was never close to anyways, I got a pub job for the evenings and weekends. Get paid for a social life - was great. But that was in my 20s when burning the candle both ends was doable

I moved 500 miles from my friends and family a few years ago now, and it took a good while to get involved. The local pub and the local church are the heart of the community here, everyone is part of one or the other and often both

Not having a clue about the area you live or what you like, some of the things I do to get involved are - keep an eye on the local area FB pages, theres always something happening some where near me ( and Im really rural ) and usually free or low cost.

Ive joined park run. I cant run, but I can walk fast

I do charity walks, theres hundreds out there and you make some really good friendships over time. This being a small area, you get to see the same people at the events and what starts as a hi, turns into oh I saw you at such and such to fancy a coffee after? Plus you do your bit for charity and usually have a great day out for not a lot of money ( I try to just do the pay for the privilege ones rather then raise sponsorship ). 

Ive now started looking at local clean up days. Last one was a 2 hour river clean up. You meet some of the most wonderful kindest people when you are giving something back to the community 

Taking it you are a guy, there is Mens Shed. I have a  friend who uses it and has a great time. Hes now organised a monthly breakfast club for the guys, another guy has organised fishing trips - the Mens Shed was just the starting point to making friends

Making friends takes effort, they dont just fall into your lap. You need to go to places where there are other people and start talking to them. I found my route to making friends has been my walking and community help outs as I dont have any real hobbies either. Theres so much out there to get involved in if you look

sevenhills

I feel alone, but I live with my 23 yr old daughter and her partner.

I am trying to eat out, once per week to start with, I go online a great deal, but not to meet people.

Do what suits you, but get out of the house.

I am recently more involved in politics, going to an occasional meeting. I wouldn't suggest others do that, do what suits YOU.

MattMattMattUK

sevenhills said:

I feel alone, but I live with my 23 yr old daughter and her partner.

I am trying to eat out, once per week to start with, I go online a great deal, but not to meet people.

Do what suits you, but get out of the house.

I am recently more involved in politics, going to an occasional meeting. I wouldn't suggest others do that, do what suits YOU.

That is by far the most important part of what anyone on here has suggested, we all do what works for us, you need to do what works for you.