by Lorna Martinez Magill
As we age, it’s important to stay active and engaged in social activities. Not only does it keep the mind and body active, but it also provides an opportunity to connect with others and build meaningful relationships.
I personally love social activities and find many ways to engage with my friends to help maintain and foster my relationships. Yes, it takes effort, but it helps me personally lead a very fulfilling life.
The following is a list of ten activities that I find are both enjoyable and fulfilling:
Book Clubs:
Join a book club and discuss your favorite books with other like-minded individuals. Book clubs provide a great opportunity to share your thoughts and ideas, as well as learn about new books and authors. I attend a monthly book club and it gives me the opportunity to read books I would not otherwise read, and it allows me to spend times with friends.
Craft or Hobby Groups:
Whether it’s quilting, knitting, or scrapbooking, participating in a craft or hobby group is a great way to spend your time while also socializing. I love to scrapbook with friends. It’s fun to share pictures and provides the opportunity to reminisce about days gone by. It also provides the opportunity to get ideas on how to design your scrapbooks.
Volunteer Work:
Give back to your community by volunteering your time and skills. Not only will you be helping others, but you’ll also be meeting new people and making new friends. I personally volunteer on a few boards. It helps me stay connected to the community and share my expertise to help an organization grow.
Travel Groups:
Traveling with a group of women can be a fun and exciting experience. From day trips to international excursions, traveling with others is a great way to make new friends and create lasting memories. I have gone on an annual girl’s trip for the past 18 years and I can tell you we have more “remember when” stories of all the fun we have had together.
Fitness Classes:
Exercise is important for both physical and mental health. Joining a fitness class is a great way to get moving and socialize with others. I attend a weekly yoga class which I love because it is fun and allows me to meet new people who are outside of my typical social circle.
Movie Nights:
Gather with a group of women for a movie night. Whether you prefer classic films or the latest releases, movie nights are a great way to relax and enjoy some time with friends. I recently had several friends over to my house to watch “Are you there God, it’s me Margaret”. Although we grew up in very different circumstances, we all had very similar experiences as adolescent girls. It made for a fun discussion.
Game Nights:
Get together for a night of games and fun. From card games to board games, game nights are a great way to bond and have a good time. In my mind, a little competition is good for the soul. We recently tried an escape room which was a ton of fun. Although it was not your typical game, it was a game of sorts as we had to figure out clues in a set amount of time to escape from the room. It was much more fun than I had imagined.
Dining Out or Cooking Classes:
Enjoy good food and good company by dining out or taking a cooking class. This is a great way to learn about new cuisines and techniques, as well as spend time with friends. Another way to enjoy food is to start a dinner club with your friends. This is a fun way to try new foods and have fun. We have had mystery dinner clubs with a theme which allowed us to engage as couples.
Gardening or Nature Walks:
Spend time in nature by gardening or taking nature walks. This is a great way to get some fresh air and enjoy the beauty of the outdoors. I don’t know about you, but I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE a good nature walk, because I kill two birds with one stone as these walks are good for both my mental and physical health.
Discussion or Lecture Groups:
Join a discussion or lecture group to learn about new topics and engage in meaningful conversation. This is a great way to stay informed and connect with others who share your interests. This is something I keep thinking I’d like to do but just have not gotten around to. I have recently seen that our local bookstore is hosting a famous author and I’m thinking I just might attend.
These are just a few ways to socially engage that are both enjoyable and fulfilling. Whether you prefer quiet activities like book clubs or more active ones like fitness classes, there’s something for everyone. The key is to find what you love and make it a part of your routine.
Action Step: Try a new social activity that is outside of your comfort zone. You just might surprise yourself to find out how much you enjoy it.
