This one won’t be that long but it may be hard to read.
I’ve never felt so alone as I have over the last few weeks. I’ve always had a tough time making and keeping friends. Whether my personality(I find it difficult to talk with new people) or my own insecurities (a mile long), it’s always been hard to find people that I relate to on a personal level.
Lately, it’s just been hard not to have people to “talk” to. Back in the chat room days of the Internet, finding someone to connect with was a little easier. But those days have long since passed. Most social media people I’ve come to know have drifted off as well. I was never especially close to high school friends, and honestly, there’s no reason to look for them. I have no want to reform strained relationships.
Walking away from my previous school was a hard decision for many reasons, the first being, I felt like I belonged there. I knew the work would be hard, but finding my place has been much more difficult for me on a personal level. I have a good working relationship with my teaching partner, which helps, but right now, it’s just hard.
I know it’s a cycle and I’m just feeling stressed about many things, but feeling alone is hard at 53. At this point in my life, I thought things would be different. I don’t know why because I’ve always had a small circle, but it just seems like that circle feels like it’s me looking out.
Not quite what I want my first blog of November to be about, but today’s been tough, all the way around.
Thanks for letting me vent a little bit. A shower and a good night’s sleep will help.
Tomorrow is a new day. Let’s hope it’s a little better.


November 3, 2024 at 9:30 pm
I’ve changed schools a few times as a teacher. And it is hard when you leave your comfort zone and your circle. Especially when you enter a new school where everyone’s already seemingly formed their groups and you try and find your place to fit in. Good luck. Remember you’re never fully alone. If nothing else you got all of us lovely people π
November 4, 2024 at 9:02 am
Hey Darin, I’m so glad you wrote this. I’ve felt the same way. It feels impossible to meet new people and connect in a more permanent way. While I have friends, most have moved away and it seems harder to connect as we did in person. There is no one to just hang with, go to a movie with, come over and watch a game. I really miss the Runango times when I at least had people who knew what was going on in my life and we “spoke” daily or weekly. Pretty much the only people who know me are my kids and family and it is so isolating. It worries me as Ripley gets closer and closer to college and Thomas almost to high school.
I worry about my personality or me as a person, but it is more that I’m anxious and awkward in socially sometimes. Like you, I hope it is a phase or cycle.
Hugs,
Shannon/Photocat
November 4, 2024 at 9:13 pm
Hey Shannon! You’ve put my feelings into words! I miss the Runango crew as well. My students would look at me funny as I’d scroll through the goofy things that were said in the forum and laugh out loud. Don’t get me wrong, an empty nest is not a bad thing, but I miss my kids too. As for my personality, I’m hardly the life of the party, if I’m even invited.
I did get a good night’s sleep, so I feel a little better, but still, it’s been a while since I felt “good”.
It is reassuring that I’m not alone. π
Thanks, Shannon!