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Humankind has evolved to be connected.  When you enter your 50’s, 60’s, 70’s and beyond your tribe changes. You may lose a spouse to divorce or death.  After retirement you can lose contact with coworkers/ friends.  Your neighbors retire and move away to be closer to family or to retirement destinations. Your own children leave the nest and develop lives of their own.  Your tribe begins to dwindle.  This can cause withdrawal and feelings of isolation.  Feelings of isolation can lead to anxiety and depression. That connection with others known in many scientific studies to reduce pain and suffering and develop happiness and healing seems lost.  

After retirement I was living alone. No spouse, no coworker, and few friends.  My oldest daughter had moved to Alaska with her family.  My youngest daughter was living 30 minutes away. I knew this was not my future.  I had my eye on a lakefront condominium near my daughter. They were rarely for sale but after waiting for several years one was finally available and I jumped on it.  I auctioned my possessions, sold my home and started over.  I had time to concentrate on my health.  I joined a health club where members there became my family.  I was available to help with my grandchildren. I began reading books on self help and how to find a new tribe.  I met my husband and married him at age 76 which blessed me with an additional three children and three grandchildren.  I joined book clubs and facebook pages and gained friends around the world from London to Australia.  Social media helped me reconnect with cousins and connect dots about my family history.  My husband and I began to travel which allowed us to meet new friends and experience many cultures. 

The lesson here is that our tribe is fluid.  It is constantly changing.  People will always come in and out of your life.  Some we may never cross paths with again.  Remember, there is always someone out there in this world with whom to connect.  Join a club.  Reach out to old friends. Talk to a stranger.  Volunteer. Your health depends on feeling connected.