Gerontologist Sam Cradduck says it plainly: being alone and feeling lonely are totally opposite experiences. As we age, many of us on the Suncoast find ourselves with more quiet hours, whether that’s retirement, a quieter season after loss, or a snowbird winter with fewer familiar faces around. The experts say that quiet isn’t something to fear. It’s a habit worth building.
Aging expert Amy O’Rourke recommends small steps when adjusting to life alone, like pairing a walk with solo time and leaning on a friend for support along the way. Aging well coach Katherine Ambrose, who learned self-reliance at age 10, says you have to be your own best friend. Dr. Rhea Rogers adds that solitude offers refreshing relief from daily obligations rather than isolation. Even extroverts, Cradduck included, say they need solo time more with age, not less.
The best part? Trying new things alone can lead to unexpected friendships, so a solo stroll over the Ringling bridge or a quiet morning on the beach could turn into a conversation you didn’t see coming. No matter who’s in the room when you’re born and who’s in the room where you die, you have yourself on the journey. What’s your favorite way to spend time alone here on the Suncoast?
