Making Friends After Retirement, According To Dr. Ruth

After retirement, people have self-reported that they miss the people more than the position or money. Not only are they more limited in social interaction, but as we get older our circle of friends naturally shrinks because of deaths, moves, or lack of effort. In this Forbes article, I describe the loneliness epidemic and the important benefits of making friends as grown-ups after retirement.

Dr. Ruth Westheimer is one of my role models. I was fortunate to hear her speak twice and actually got to personally meet her backstage. Dr. Ruth was writing until the end of her life in July 2024 which kept her engaged, relevant, and curious. Her last book, “The Joy of Connections: 100 Ways to Beat Loneliness and Live a Happier and More Meaningful Life,” focused on loneliness. It reveals how Dr. Ruth – most known for her work in sex education – lived through extraordinary challenges and still forged community and connection during her life.