Feeling like im on the slippery slope!!!

I sometimes feel like this and worry that I’m becoming antisocial and boring. It just takes something small to snap me out of the mood, and it is always rewarding to smile or have a brief chat with someone and have it returned, when you’re shopping. I’m sure it’s an age thing rather than depression.

The news is dire and it can get to be too much. Home is our safe place where we can shut out the world for a while.

I wonder if you are a bit down as avoiding people may be a symptom.
If you feel unhappy about this then maybe a chat with your doctor.

This may just be temporary and you will want to socialise again after a time of 'hibernation'.

I do love time on my own and am really happy with my own company. I think you can get out of practice with socialising if you always stay at home and I do like time with friends and family too. Do you feel you are depressed? Would a check/chat with your GP be a good idea?

I can relate to feeling like this too. I’ve had two appointments at the same hospital today. One clinic was running late and I only made it to the second one with one minute to spare. The HCA called my name - in full - and another patient tried to take my place! All this added to the anxiety of not wanting to be there in the first place……I simply wanted to be at home muddling, through my day. Life never used to be this stressful and I always managed to cope with whatever came my way. I burst into tears when I finally arrived home.

It could be a bit of both.

Does it bother or upset you or any family members?

If not, you’ve reached a period of your life where you can make the choices which suit you

Btw I think it’s also entirely normal 🙂🙂

I ve found that now in my eighties my world has shrunk and
I m more comfortable in known familiar surroundings ie home, or known areas around town I don’t like to be away for too long, I don’t know why I just think it’s a natural winding down. Whereas I used to enjoy holidaying alone and pottering around a new town I now wouldn’t want to it would be too scary now so I like an easy going life and potter around where I feel ok

I am an introvert but can be sociable occasionally as long as I can escape when I want to. All the same I find that I am not so fond of chatting as I used to be, and do get irritated with phone calls especially FT. I care for my DH so do like some respite but hate when people suggest seeing friends. I much prefer to spend any precious time I get to myself on solitary walks and reading a good book.
So you are not at all strange imho or depressed but just need to spend some time in your own company.

You sound perfectly normal to me.

I do keep an eye on the news from time to time but on the whole avoid the "Outside World" as much as possible, only doing what is essential.

Hello, another introvert here… very happy with my own company, but I do think it does me good to get out of the house once a day… just thought I would mention that in case it helps..

You say you want to shut out the world and I feel like this too. But apparently, so do an increasing number of younger people. I was reading that an increasing number don’t have friends at all and live solitary lives only going out to work (and working from home, some don’t even do that). We have developed so much technology but it has resulted in social isolation. It’s as if we don’t want to interact with anyone else at all. And I think this is also related to the sad state of the world. We have lost any feel good factor and I think people are generally often, stressed, anxious and depressed. This is only my view of course but it seems so obvious to me. I don’t know how this will develop. Sometimes I think it’ll go full circle and life will become simple and ‘good’ again but perhaps that’s wishful thinking.

I wonder if it depends on how you were previously. If you were the life and soul of the party at one time and now find you’re retreating from people, perhaps it is depression creeping in. We know that socialising is protective against developing dementia because it keeps our brains busy. It might be worth talking to your GP.

I think I’ve been avoiding society while also craving it at the same time lately, which is weird. Since my Dh died earlier this year it’s been easier to say to myself I won’t bother, what the point? At the same time, though, I hate having no one to speak to any more and whilst home is home, it’s a very different one from how it used to be. I’d come home and chat to Dh about whatever I’d been doing. Now, there’s none of that - my cats don’t listen!

Yet going out is often disappointing in terms of talking to anyone, with so many shops having automated their services and any remaining staff not having time for a brief chat because they’re scurrying round. Today I forced myself go to a group I belong to and I have to say, I enjoyed it especially as I met someone new who was very interesting.

Fallingstar

I am an introvert but can be sociable occasionally as long as I can escape when I want to. All the same I find that I am not so fond of chatting as I used to be, and do get irritated with phone calls especially FT. I care for my DH so do like some respite but hate when people suggest seeing friends. I much prefer to spend any precious time I get to myself on solitary walks and reading a good book.
So you are not at all strange imho or depressed but just need to spend some time in your own company.

I can really identify with your post and fully agree. I only like to meet people or do things that really fulfil me as time is of the essence. I hope you really enjoy your walks and books. I love looking at the birds, squirrels, butterflies and identifying them and get stuck into a good book that carries me away.

Some posters are saying it is normal.

Sorry, but I dont think it is?

Are you frightened?[i can understand not watching the news. Many more people are doing that too, nowadays].

I think there are different types of people, those who thrive when in the company of others and always busy, and those who prefer alone time and only the company of those they really resonate with. Neither is better or worse it is just what floats your boat. A very old friend phoned me the other day as she was up in town again (she comes twice a year to see her son). She called and wanted to meet up for lunch. I just could not face her conspiracy theories again or hear about her rich relatives. I've spent 30 years listening. I just said that unfortunately I could not make it this time but hoped she would have a nice stay. Also, my cousin was up in town with her family. She never bothers about me from one year to the next and expects to be entertained and her family paid for when she comes. I said I was unable to make it as we were having work done on the house, which is technically true in a couple of weeks. Didn't even feel guilty, just relieved.

Sounds fairly normal to me - I can easily go a week or more without speaking to another human being (apart from my husband), and that's including going shopping. I do watch the news though - as a former journalist, I can't help being a bit of a news junkie. I'm more than happy in my own company. It's way too 'people-y' out there.

I am self sufficient and happy following my own interests, but I know that doing that is the start of a slippery slope.

Also, as I have also been fortunate in life I think it would be almost immoral of me to shut my eyes to the pain and trouble that other people are suffering and making sure I make some act of aid even if just donating money to help those in trouble. I will continue to watch the news and be knowledgeable about the world I live in. I am also quite gregarious. Last year we moved 70 miles from where we have lived most of our lives and after a year of house renovation I want meet mre people, build a new network.

I have signed up for the local history association, U3A and I volunteer at the local museum. I am really looking forward to this new part of my life.

I notice that when you see exceptionally old people how often they are natural glass half full people with a real curiosity in life. I want to be one of the.

My world has got smaller recently. I have slowed down with age and health ain't too good at the moment. I am quite surprised to find I like being at home more. I have stopped going to a weekly social group because I got bored with small talk.( Trump, Prince Harry etc). We met for a walk around a lake. Much happier just walking round the lake with my dog on my own and a weekly neighbourhood walk with a friend who also has a dog. We don't talk politics and she's not interested in the royal family! I like my monthly book group discussions and am looking forward to a new weekly art class. I agree with SpinDriftCoastal re time is of the essence and want to use my time more productively.

I'm a bit of both too. I'm at ease in my own company but I do recognise that it's good if we get a bit of balance. I have noticed a shift in levels of anxiety though and maybe feeling a bit overwhelmed when asked to go out somewhere. So I'm wondering if your anxiety levels have increased and if so, it might be good to see your GP. Maybe there was a trigger that your not even aware of. I know my trigger was Coeliac Disease diagnosis, which is an antisocial and isolating condition. No gluten, so dread being asked to eat out. Also sprained my ankle quite badly at the beginning of August. I am walking better now but like Astitchintime, after her stressful hospital visit, I too burst into tears when I got home after a stressful day. But I also think we don't all need the social stimulation that we once did. But it is still nice to have a little bit of joy in life.

I’m a bit like this since retirement doing what I have to then going home. I think for me it’s a bit of adjusting to my new time of life. However lately the news has been deepressing and I’ve heard bad news for a few weeks in a row I think it’s just how we all cope. Home is our haven isn’t it?

I enjoy meeting up with friends and acquaintances at my regular groups, but I hate socialising with people I don’t know. My groups have not met during August so I have spent a lot of time at home alone, quite lonely, not wanting to go out to find the company of random people. It’s a bit of a mixture of emotions really. It’s great that everything is starting up again.

I must state that I dont sit around moping. I try to get out every day for a walk and fresh air. I enjoy teaching myself how to do painting via utube. I have 4 new babies within the family expected at end of this year and early 2027 so am knitting like mad. I love listening to audio books, looking after my plants on my balcony and enjoy films on tv. I do play scrabble once a week with 2 other people so im never bored. I am happy to see several of you feel the same as me.😊

I think you are doing fine actually. I have always been a home bird anyway. Depression as in "my life not worth living" is a case for the GP definitely, but being naturally an introvert and being so more as we get older seems natural to me.

I do watch the news however in moderation, I have alway had political interests so they are a big part of a window on the world, and also do quite a lot of Zooming as well as in my faith group Quakers where there is quiet reflection and real caring.

I'm also fortunate in belonging to a gym for 24 years with friends there but sort go no obligation bump into folks not intense so go there 4 times a week.

I really don't know what kind of person I am. I seem to have spent my years being busy-busy and though I know loads of people I am pretty devoid of friends. Of course, I have lost a few in recent years. I am the sort of person who volunteers for committees and having been an accountant am treasurer of three local societies/charities and load of people know me an will say hello in the street or supermarket, but I don't know a soul to go for a coffee with or invite to mine. I'm even more restricted now that DH is housebound as the place isn't in a fit state to invite anyone and I'm busier than ever (and noticing my age). I'm also pretty bad at phoning people. I maintain it is a phobia but maybe it's an excuse. I prefer to email folks but lots of people find that intrusive.

I know that if I were without DH, despite it not being a good marriage, I would be bereft. I need to do something about it while I can. I am not a person who likes to be alone and I don't do hobbies such as arts and craft - though I could read an entire library on holiday!

People also tell me I'd be first on their list if they needed help or advice yet nobody has ever offered to help or advise me.