How can I combat loneliness? My husband passed 3&1/2 years ago and I am still lonely.

Dear "JPC2842,"

I'm sorry you are still feeling the loneliness after your husband passed away 3 1/2 years ago and no doubt, the pandemic along with your friends developing health problems themselves is contributing to those feelings.

We are all in similar boats in regards to COVID isolating us even if we haven't lost a loved one. We have so many limits now being placed on us.

If you like dogs or cats, have you ever considered doing foster care that way you can choose which ones you want depending on the length of time each one would need to be fostered before being able to be put up for adoption. I believe everything would be supplied so you wouldn't have to buy things like food etc.
You wouldn't lose your total freedom because it would be short term.

I know in the distant past when I would be at home prior to caregiving and my husband would be at the office or out of town, I would get myself a nice puzzle and set it up on a card table, turn on some relaxing music and make myself a nice special drink whether it be a new flavor of tea, some coffee, hot chocolate etc. I find it relaxing as well as a welcome distraction from being alone in my thoughts.

Also, you can go to the upper right hand corner where the teal bar is and click on "care topics" and under "L" are some articles on how to deal with loneliness - maybe there will be something helpful there.

Best wishes to you!

I really like Wren's answer. You need to set up a schedule for yourself, so you have things to do every day instead of flailing about with nothing but your thoughts.

Also, I know it's harder to do in these Covid-infused times, but volunteering is so beneficial to everyone. Doing for others gets us out of our own heads and gives us a sense of purpose.

I divide the day into parts. Morning is cooking/ checking social media, coaxing mom to take a bath/misc errands by calling people

Post lunch- read online newspapers(only fun stuff, not bad news), do puzzles, books from the library

Afternoon - snack/exercise/walk/clear the yard/read some more

Dinner & Netflix/Prime etc

I do live with my family but everyone's in their own online world and not a lot of deep conversations happening - all of us are trying to get thru the day

I am afraid you are stuck where so many of us are. Knitting, reading, gardening, walking, social media, puzzles, hobbies (I sew and make my own earrings) and so on. I do have a partner, but for the most part we are ships passing, coming together when we do, and otherwise trying to keep busy. He shoots a few arrows and I take long walks. He watches CNN and I read. It isn't easy whether we are stuck in this sort of isolation with others or alone. I wish you good luck finding something that helps. I have become quite close with a few Facebook Friends I chat with online. Otherwise it is day melding into another day. It's tough.