Rebuilding Your Circle - Part 1
It’s never too late to build your tribe, but it takes a different approach at this stage of life.
I recently had coffee with a friend who said, "I feel like I'm starting over socially at 60, and I have no idea how to make friends anymore." Can you relate? It was a conversation that made me sad - until I decided to do something about it.
If you've lost your primary social circle through divorce, death, retirement, or another major life change, you know that awkward feeling of not knowing where to even begin. Yet research is clear: having a circle of people that you interact with regularly and can count on to be there for you is a crucial factor in extending your healthspan (the amount of your lifespan that you are healthy).
But the truth? Starting over socially after 50 isn't just hard—it requires a completely different approach than making friends in your 20s or 30s. That's why I created "Rebuilding Your Circle" a 7-step plan to create meaningful connections when you are starting from scratch.
Here is an outline of the 7 steps: 1) The Social Inventory, 2) Permission to Grieve, 3) Quality vs Quantity, 4) The Soft Re-Entry, 5) Strategic Outreach, 6) New Territory, 7) Building Momentum.
This week we'll cover a snapshot of Step 1. The goal of step 1 is to assess what you've lost and what social connections you need. Take time to reflect on the relationships that are no longer available to you. Make a list, and note what role each relationship played in your life. Then list the relationships that you still have. What relationships might have been neglected but could be reestablished? Finally, rate your loneliness level (1-10) and note the days/times that are most lonely for you.
This is a snippet of the reflection we do in my 1:1 coaching program. Step 1 will allow you to gain clarity on exactly what you have lost, and what you truly need to rebuild a meaningful social network.
Until next week, here's to thriving, not just surviving!
Rhenda
PS. If you’d like me to walk you through the full program, schedule a free Consultation now.
