I’m 67 years old, and I live alone. I beg my children to take me in, but they refuse. I don’t know how to go on.
I’m 67 years old, and I live alone. My husband passed away long ago, and I don’t know how to cope with this emptiness. I ask my children to let me move in with them, but they won’t agree. I don’t know how to carry on… In bustling cities like Manchester, loneliness becomes a heavy burden. Crowds of strangers on the streets bring no joy, especially for the elderly. At this age, making new friends feels nearly impossible, and sorrow becomes a constant companion.
Today, we’ll talk about loneliness in later life and hear what a psychologist has to say about it. Perhaps this story will help someone find the strength and inspiration to change their life.
I’m 67, living alone in a small flat on the outskirts of Manchester. My husband died many years ago. I still work because it’s the only thing that saves me from boredom. But lately, I’ve been living on autopilot—nothing brings me joy, everything seems dull and meaningless.
I don’t have any hobbies, and I’m not even trying to find one. I suppose I’m too old for that. I asked my son and his family—he has three children—to move in with me, but my daughter-in-law said no. I suppose she doesn’t fancy sharing a roof with an old woman.
I thought about moving in with my daughter, but she has her own family, and she doesn’t want me living with them either. Still, they’re always happy when I visit. They make tea, cook a nice meal, listen to my stories. But the more I visit, the harder it is to return to my empty flat. Yet I must…
Margaret, our protagonist, doesn’t know how to break this cycle. Her life, even at 67, shouldn’t be so joyless. The only glimmer of hope is that she’s starting to consider change and look for ways to cope with loneliness. That gives her a chance.
Not having hobbies—or worse, not wanting to find any—could be signs of depression. Margaret should consider seeing a neurologist, psychologist, or therapist, the psychologist advises.
The expert says that in today’s world, 67 is far from old age. The issue isn’t that her children don’t want to live with their mother. Grown children value their personal space, where they’ve built their own lives. Forcing them to change their routines isn’t the answer.
Margaret needs to let go of the idea that happiness only exists with her children. She can change her life herself. She just needs to look around: Manchester hosts dozens of events, she could visit places she’s never been or make new friends. Fresh experiences are what she needs now, the psychologist says.
The expert is right—Margaret should see her life from a different angle. If her children are busy with their own lives and don’t want to live together, she shouldn’t force them. Especially since their relationship is warm and kind otherwise. Why not try to fill her life with meaning?
In later years, when there’s still energy and time, dreams postponed in youth can still come true. Some take up painting, others join dance classes, and some even travel. The worst is when days blur into the same routine: TV, the doctor’s office, the shop… That kind of life feeds loneliness, trapping a person in a corner.
Today, opportunities exist for people of all ages, and it’s a shame to waste them. Some find love even with grown grandchildren; others discover new passions after retirement.
But much depends on the younger generation, too. Children and grandchildren can help their elders keep an interest in life. Sometimes, simple attention is enough—a phone call, an invitation to visit, or a walk together. For an older person, that can be a real lifeline.
