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

[serafaery]

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.

Comments

[littleoldliv]

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. :(

[sylvanfae]

There are also neat book club sites/apps these days. Amazon has its own, but Fable was more exciting to me, with the social reading features where you can see each other's highlights and notes.