October Lifestyle Director's Column
Tasha Enemark
Lifestyle Director
Making Friends in Retirement
Retirement can be an exciting new chapter filled with freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to explore new interests. But for many people, it can also mean leaving behind the built-in social connections that came with a career or raising a family. Making new friends may take a little more effort.
One of the best ways to make friends in retirement is simply to show up.
Friendships often don't happen in one conversation. They develop through repeated participation—seeing the same people at Coffee & News or at exercise class or while volunteering. At first, you may only exchange a simple greeting, but few weeks later, you’ll find yourself sitting together and realizing you've become friends. That's the beauty of community life. When you participate regularly, familiar faces become friendly faces.
Friendships later in life often look different than the ones we had when we were younger. In our youth we become friends with those we meet at school, work or while raising children. We’re brought together through circumstance. As we age, we can be more intentional about how we meet, what interests we share and how we enjoy our time together. In addition, we can share the experiences that come with time, both happy and difficult: The transition into retirement, becoming grandparents or the challenge of moving or adjusting to new phases of life. Ultimately, friendships can help us stay engaged. A friend might be the reason we attend an event, try a new activity, take a class, or get out of the house.
October is an exciting time at MountainBrook as our seasonal residents start to return and friends reconnect. Get your tickets for Afternoon Chillin’ October 22nd. This is live music in the Superstition Center from 4:00 to 6:00pm with nostalic band The 60’s Guyz. Bring your drinks and snacks and relax with some fun music amongs neighbors and friends old and new! All residents are welcome to attend the Pancake Breakfast October 29th from 8:00 to 10:00am. You don't need to come with a group of friends. Come on your own, grab a plate, find a seat, and introduce yourself to someone new.
The best friendships often begin with a simple decision: Show up. Check your calendar, try something new, and keep coming back. You never know when a familiar face will become a new friend.