November 9th 2024.
To my dear readers,
I hope this message finds you well. In my previous publication on Sept. 23, I shared two heartwarming letters from older adults who were struggling to find connections in their lives. As promised, I reached out to those of you who have found success in forming new friendships and romantic relationships later in life, and today I am excited to share some more of your inspiring stories.
In 2023, United States Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, MD, released a Surgeon General Advisory addressing the pressing issue of loneliness, isolation, and lack of connection in our country. He highlighted that even before the pandemic, approximately half of adults in the U.S. reported experiencing feelings of loneliness. This is a public health crisis that affects us all, but I want you to know that you are not alone in this struggle.
I am grateful to have received such wonderful responses from my readers, and I am also excited to introduce you to a fantastic new book called "Party of One: Be Your Own Best Life Partner" by Meghan Keane. As the founder and producer of NPR's "Life Kit," Meghan offers practical and witty guidance for people of all ages and stages of life.
Dear Eric,
I am glad to hear that you have found love after being widowed at the age of 48, following a 28-year marriage. I can only imagine the grief and struggle you went through before finding this new chapter in your life. Your conclusion that divorced people need divorced people, and widowed people need other widowed people, is a wise one. It is often easier to connect with those who have gone through similar challenges and can understand our experiences. I am delighted that you found a connection with someone already in your circle, and that you have now been happily married for eight years.
Dear "Find Your People,"
Your message truly resonates with me. It is essential to find those who can share our burdens and help us process life's challenges. I am overjoyed to hear that you have found love and support in your community, and I hope your story inspires others to do the same.
Dear Eric,
I couldn't agree more with your recommendation to join a Toastmasters club. As a member myself, I have seen the positive impact it can have on people's lives. It is a fantastic opportunity to build communication and leadership skills, make new friends, and have fun. I am happy to hear that your non-LDS friend was able to find a sense of belonging in Salt Lake City through Toastmasters.
Dear Toastmasters,
Thank you for sharing your personal experience with us. It is heartwarming to know that joining groups related to your interests has led to new friendships and opportunities for personal growth. I also appreciate your emphasis on the importance of keeping our minds active and looking forward to the future.
In my own experience, I have found that joining groups or clubs related to my passions has opened doors to new connections and meaningful relationships. Whether it's through politics, writing, or any other interest, I encourage you all to find your own community and experience the joys of connection.
Thank you all for being a part of this community and for sharing your stories. I hope they serve as a reminder that there is always hope for meaningful connections, no matter what stage of life we are in. Keep on shining, my friends.
Warmly,
Eric
Dear Readers,
I hope you all are doing well. Recently, on Sept. 23, I shared two letters from older adults who were struggling to find a meaningful connection in their lives. I asked those of you who have successfully found friendship and romantic partnership at a later stage in life to write in and share your experiences. I am happy to say that I received some great responses which I shared last Thursday, and as promised, I have some more to share with you today.
In 2023, United States Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, MD, released a Surgeon General Advisory addressing the issue of loneliness, isolation, and lack of connection in our country. He called it a public health crisis, stating that even before the COVID-19 pandemic, approximately half of U.S. adults reported feeling lonely. This is a common struggle, but you are not alone. There are solutions out there, and some of them can be found in the letters below. I would also like to recommend a wonderful new book called “Party of One: Be Your Own Best Life Partner” by Meghan Keane, the founder and producer of NPR’s “Life Kit”. It offers practical and witty guidance for people of all ages and stages of life.
One of our readers, Find Your People, shared their experience of being widowed at 48 after a 28-year marriage. It took them some time to go through the grief process and reconnect with the world, but they eventually came to the realization that divorced people need other divorced people, and widowed people need those who have gone through a similar loss. This reader found love again with someone who was already in their circle of friends. They had a common interest and familiarity with their community, which helped them build a strong bond. They have now been happily married for eight years.
Another reader, Toastmasters Member, shared their experience of moving to a new city and wanting to meet people outside of the local church. They joined a Toastmasters club, an international organization focused on communication and leadership skills, and found many positive connections. These clubs welcome guests and provide a platform for people to share their stories and experiences, while also offering opportunities for mentoring and making new friends. Plus, honing one's public speaking skills can also keep the brain active and focused on the present.
In addition to these experiences, I also received a letter from a reader who joined two groups related to their interests in politics and writing. While they may have seemed to have nothing in common with the other members, they found a pulse and a shared passion for writing. This helped them build strong connections and friendships within these groups.
Finding meaningful connections at any stage of life can be challenging, but it is not impossible. As our readers have shared, it often involves finding people who have similar experiences or interests, and being open to forming new friendships. I hope these letters have given you some hope and inspiration. Remember, you are not alone, and there are always solutions and opportunities for connection and companionship.
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