I know this is a first world problem, but I've been feeling more isolated lately. I am in the process of changing my work schedule, which will not take place until the school year is over. My original intention was to work M, T, Th. But, there was no office space available for me on TH when I started, so the director asked me to go to Hudson HS, where we have a contract to provide services. I said yes, as it's my old district, I know the culture, etc. Not my old school. It took awhile to get my CORI check done for the district, so in the interim, I added a few clients on Friday morning. So, I am working more than I want, even though Thursday and Friday are half days, they often are busier with clients than my long days on M and T. Friday mornings are nice,a s most therapists don't work on Friday, and it is quiet. But I want to work 3 full days... not 4, with 2 half days, and I am resenting having to be at the HS at 7:30 AM! I get up early enough, but I have to rush out of here to get there for my first client. After 30+ years of that schedule, I don't like it, now that I can get up early, go to the gym or ride, and then not have to work until 9 or 10. What does this have to do with being bored? For me, it's a fine line between being too involved with my job and being so bored that i start obsessing on stuff that is not healthy. This is what happened when i stopped teaching. I really don't have any interests except the sports stuff I do, other than reading and theatre. I did my share of volunteering, and I came to feel that it's slave labor. It started to feel like work! So, by working 3 days a week, I won't be so work obsessed, because I worry that the same thing will happen to me when I cut down even more, like in 5 or so years. I feel like I need to make new friends. Except for the couple we do everything with, none of my other friends are as involved in outdoor stuff and are very sedentary. One of them, though, does ride and do Cross Fit, but she has a second home and is gone for most of the summer. She also is busier than I am, despite the fact she hasn't worked in a few years. I ride and hike with her, despite the fact she's slower than me, and a bit opinionated!
I used to be friendly with people I work with, but I don't do that anymore. There is one woman from my old school, that I still see, a couple of times a year. She's busy with work and has a 6th grader at home, so, she's not so available. On and off I have seen a few people from TE, for riding, but that seems to have calmed down. I've also cut all ties with the family I have here (cousins and an aunt), because I couldn't take their constant preaching at me, with their political views, which are radically opposite from mine.
I could increase my volunteering with AMC, which I do like, but most of that I do with DH, but not all.
I am rambling here, but, yes, there are always people worse off. I feel very lucky to live the life I have, but I have always been extremely social and something feels off.