attempting to socialize

[JackieOnLine]

Oh, and my famous saying, "a tired out dog is a good dog".

sadly, we aren't even getting in our formally routine twice daily walks due to weather. she is low to the ground, old and underweight, even in her winter coat she is either walking on ice or getting soaked these past few weeks so we just stay home.

really sucks, this weather.

 

[Settledownnow]

The winter months are always hard due to the dark dreary weather. You need to get out of your own head and focus your attention elsewhere. Try helping other people through volunteerism. Your first attempt didn't work, but there are lots of other options.

You can also sign up for dog training classes (group classes) through the local dog training club which is a much lower cost than highering a professional trainer. I do not know how old your dog is, but if she enjoys obedience you might think about setting a goal like passing the Canine Good Citizen test for your dog so that the dog is more appealing to others and is behaved enough to go with you wherever. I cannot walk my dogs in the winter so we do obedience drills (sit, watch me, come, stay, practice tricks, etc.) for treats. It keeps their mind and body a little more active.

You did not mention church as an option, but if you are a nonbeliever or skeptic, there are some non-denominational churches (i.e. Unitarian Universalist) that focus more on spirituality and helping the community versus worship/religious dogma and that might be a good option for you to explore as they have social groups and volunteer opportunities.

 

[JackieOnLine]

Try helping other people through volunteerism.

I know this is a good idea, but I think it will have to wait until I have a way to make a living I can tolerate. my current job isn't going well and there is a good possibility I need to be looking for (yet) another one right away.

You can also sign up for dog training classes

that was the original plan, the private trainer I hired also does classes and after a couple lessons we were going to try that. his blowing me off makes me not want to go to his class, however. also, I am afraid she (well, we) need more individual attention at first. not sure what I am going to do.

there are some non-denominational churches (i.e. Unitarian Universalist)

I started going to the UU church in Reno last summer; they are a very nice group of people. this winter it just feels too far to drive.

the sad truth is, I have had so much anxiety with finding two new jobs it makes it hard to do anything else new even while I know that if I did socialize it would make things better over all.

but thank you for the thoughts and ideas, I really appreciate it.

 

[Settledownnow]

You know... crappy jobs are much easier to tolerate when the rest of your life is going well. Worrying is not going to help. Focus on what you can do to improve your situation and let the rest go. Part of it is deciding to trust the universe (or God or whatever for you) and not letting yourself get wrapped up into endless fear and worry. So what if the trainer blew you off? Maybe it was just an oversight. It is their issue not yours. So what if your dog needs more attention? That is the purpose of a training class. So what if you "feel" that the drive to UU is too much -- don't think about it, just do it. Challenge some of your thinking.

 

[bearmom]

One of the senior centers here has a match up list of seniors, that they are always looking for people like you, willing to live in, in partial trade for helping elderly or disabled. Having 3 colleges nearby, most of the people who sign up are college students, which you would think would be a perfect match, but no. Lots of competing draws from college, and sometimes just lack of maturity makes them crummy roomates. Any chance there are senior centers or similar there that may have a program like that?

I wish I had decent advice on socializing(cuz I need it myself), but every year I realize I'm more curmudgeonly and antisocial than the last, and more content with that fact. Always fairly shy, I used to make a bit more effort at socializing, and found things that were interesting to me were easiest not only because the people you meet have the same interests, but also becuase your actually enjoying doing whatever (crochet, beading, drinking beer, whatever) so if the other people there are duds, you still enjoy what your doing, and if there is anyone your actually interested in talking to, the conversation will at least be genuine.

Never having been a person that goes to bars, or even drinks much, I've learned lately how easy it is to engage in conversation with literally anyone when we're all toasted. Ugh. I'd hate to think we all need to become alcoholics to have a decent social life.

 

[JackieOnLine]

Any chance there are senior centers or similar there that may have a program like that?

I will call them and ask, thank you.

I'd hate to think we all need to become alcoholics to have a decent social life.

right? that's how I felt about the meet-up group I joined and then quit.

I am scheduled to do a "bird walk" this Saturday. let's see if the weather cooperates.