serafaery: (Default)
serafaery ([personal profile] serafaery) wrote2025-05-02 09:51 am

something I wanted to post on social media but then thought better about.

hey friends, wondering if there is a ladies book or art or knitting group that meets regularly and might have room for a newbie. my activity-based social bonds have collapsed due to early onset arthritis, now that I can't dance, skate, rock climb, or run. friends my age have no interest in meeting consistently as a group. I think because I lost my parents early, have no generational wealth or ties, and have no children, I am more like a 70 year old than a 50 year old, in many ways.

at my age, being childfree and parentless, with no house or inheritance, I feel like I am waiting for all of my 40-something friends to lose their parents before they realize that community is also important. very few of them will leave their homes to socialize, and my activity-based social groups have collapsed as I can no longer dance or do intense exercise with my early-onset arthritis. I feel like I am waiting for people to catch up, given the losses and trauma I've had to endure, and without religion or children or family, it's very difficult to construct meaning or a sense of belonging without a circle of women who are willing to meet regularly. I think this, along with my physical problems, are contributing significantly to my increased clinical depression symptoms, although I know menopause is also a factor.
sylvanfae: Animated, three red metallic hearts glimmering (Love)

[personal profile] sylvanfae 2025-05-02 07:17 pm (UTC)(link)
Hey, I haven't even hit 50 yet, and I feel the same way (even before both my parents were gone). I don't currently have or know of a group, but I'm very willing to help set something up, if you could go for an online/non-local thing. I'm looking for the same kind of group, and maybe doing something online as well as finding a local group in my area. I'm about to start going to a UU church and a garden club, here, but I love book clubs/art/knitting circles. No worries if you're looking for a local, in-person thing, though. :)
littleoldliv: (Default)

[personal profile] littleoldliv 2025-05-02 11:33 pm (UTC)(link)
I am part of a very small (four person) book club - we operate on Discord. We just started The Midnight Library by Matt Haig today. I suspect that's not the kind of thing you are looking for, but thought I'd mention it just in case. EDIT: oh boo I saw your Discord issues above. :(
Edited 2025-05-02 23:37 (UTC)