There’s no doubt about it; being an active part of a sisterhood is a wonderful way to banish loneliness after 50. You may also enjoy reading, How to Combat Loneliness After 50, Activities You Can Take Up, and Loneliness and Friendship After 50.

How a Sisterhood Can Banish Loneliness After 50

Women the world over talk and that includes us on this site, honeygood.com, and my private Facebook group, Celebrate Life. In our sisterhood, the exchange of conversation is intoxicating, stimulating, powerful, stirring, rousing, funny and invigorating. When we are together, our loneliness all but disappears.

We are the best of the best when it comes to communication because we love to impart, exchange and share information on all levels. At times we chatter and chit-chat, have serious heart-to-hearts, and yes, sometimes gossip. We connect with one another over the Internet through the art of conversation. When we connect, my heart swells.

Loneliness After 50 is a Public Health Crisis

The topic of loneliness has come up more in more both in my Facebook group and even in my conversation with friends. It’s a real problem; please know that you are not alone if you feel you are experiencing it. I’d like to share with you some of what I’ve learned with my research, and then later, I’ll give you some tips for finding a sisterhood that suits you.

Although it may seem like a personal struggle, loneliness is more than just a fleeting emotion. In fact, it has quietly grown into a significant public health crisis that warrants our attention and compassion and action.

“It’s often talked about as an epidemic. You know, some surveys reveal that around 60 percent of people in the U.S. right now report feeling lonely on a pretty regular basis. And that’s pretty devastating from a public health perspective. Right. This is worse than rates of obesity. This is worse than rates of diabetes.” — Laurie Santos, Yale Psychology Professor

Loneliness isn’t picky…

It doesn’t care about age, gender, or background. Yes, even the so-called picture-perfect women you see on the internet. Even me. We’ve all experienced that deep longing for connection and a sense of belonging. When those needs aren’t met, it can have serious consequences, not just for women over 50, but for society as a whole.

Loneliness after 50 can take a toll on our mental, emotional, and physical well-being. It can lead to feelings of depression, anxiety, and lowered self-esteem. Surprisingly, chronic loneliness can be just as harmful to our health as smoking or obesity. It increases the risk of heart disease, dementia, and even premature death.

You can see how loneliness doesn’t just affect us personally—it affects our entire community. It weakens the bonds between people, slows down economic growth, and strains healthcare systems. Plus, it leads to higher healthcare costs since lonely individuals often seek medical help more frequently.

Statistics on Loneliness

Don’t take my word for it; here’s what Yale Psychology Professor, Laurie Santos, had to say about the statistics of loneliness: “It’s often talked about as an epidemic. You know, some surveys reveal that around 60 percent of people in the U.S. right now report feeling lonely on a pretty regular basis. And that’s pretty devastating from a public health perspective. Right. This is worse than rates of obesity. This is worse than rates of diabetes.”

Around 60%! Now do you believe me when I tell you that you are not the only one feeling lonely out there? It seems that loneliness itself is a sisterhood.

How to Find a Sisterhood to Fight Feelings of Loneliness After 50

First, I will say that I hope you think of my website, honeygood.com, as well as my private Facebook group, Celebrate Life, as a sisterhood that you are a part of. We welcome you with open arms! Also, if you are a widow, I have another Facebook group dedicated to you, Sisters in Widowhood. It’s co-led by two wonderful women.

Next, I would consider these steps:

• Consider your likes and hobbies and look for online or local in-person groups (Tip: The library is a great place to start!)
  • Reading
  • Knitting, crocheting, quilting
  • Gardening
  • Walking/hiking
  • Birdwatching
  • Flower arranging
• Call up a friend or even family member that you haven’t seen in a while and meet up for coffee
• Volunteer at a local charity that’s close to your heart
• Start a new hobby
• Take a class (Tip: even if you take an online class, there are often communities associated, or you could find one on Facebook that’s specific to your area of study.)

Above all, be daring and put yourself out there! You must put in the work and “climb the stairs” if you really want to make this happen. I know it may seem daunting, but it’s worth it!

What Can You Do to Support Your Fellow Sisters

In conclusion, darling, let’s remember that we all have a role to play in addressing this public health crisis of loneliness. Small acts of kindness, like a warm smile or reaching out to someone in need, can have a tremendous impact. Together, we can create a society where loneliness is acknowledged, support is readily available, and everyone feels seen and valued.

Embark on this journey with empathy, compassion, and a commitment to building a more connected and caring world—because we’re in this together.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed and need help getting started, I’m here for you. I’m in the process of putting together a workbook on “Climbing the Stairs.” In it, I’ll walk you through the steps of finding out what’s really important to you and breaking down what it takes to accomplish something big, such as taking a stand against your loneliness. I can’t wait to share it with you!

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