I'm going to be moving to a much smaller area in the coming months and have some similar concerns. Life in the dating app /social media world is very different from when I was last single and I'm not sure how well it will suit me.

There is a Planet Fitness gym in the new town that I plan to join to supplement my home gym set up .. but also as a way to get out and maybe meet new people. There are some adult education classes at the local college that interest me and might offer some chances as well.

Maybe those are some things you could consider as well.

You have to be seen and heard before anyone will know who you are. Is there a yoga or jazzercise place , or a gym in town or near by? Begin by working on you. Improve your strength (not by lifting weights) but with exercises more age appropriate and walking. That gets you out there, and being active. Even a little at first will make you sore, but stay with it. Volunteer at the hospital, church, or school. Work to be the best version of yourself and others will notice. A meaningful relationship always happens by accident, not because you demand it, but the (Men) you want to meet are more terrified of meeting you than you are them. Make some friends, Smile, go out with the girls, have fun. The birds and the bees are still the birds and the bees.

im in the same boat and feel your pain. cliques are nearly impossible to become a part of.

Is there a gym close enough to you that you could join? Get a little exercise and possibly socialize a little while you’re at it. You’d feel so much better when exercising. Men may approach you there.

Meeting someone in your area might go better than you think. I see everyone offering ideas I had. I tend to find meeting people difficult, but I might try it. I have run into a lot of weirdness with people on here. I think a friendship is starting, and they start getting shady. In rl I'd get to see that faster. Anyway, good luck

I live in a small town aswell. My piece of advice is that you take things slowly and don't rush into a relationship in order to build genuine trust, detect potential red flags and ensure long term compability. There are many jerks out there and you have to be careful.

You need a reason to congregate in RL that is already in place here. You belong to this group. And its relatively safe.. So clearly you need to join a local (or internet) special interest group. A book club. Indoor rock climbing at the gym. Or stamp collecting. (Although I have heard that philately will get you nowhere).😷

Have you thought of joining a club, volunteering, being part of a church group? Not always easy if you’re a private person, but they have benefits.

Grocery shopping 🛒👍

The hardest thing to do. Learn to live with yourself.

FYI I have been alone for over twenty years.

It's not easy, yet the alternatives are not acceptable to me IMO. You either learn or go along with society. And that for me is not acceptable.

The whole society needs to vastly change.

I wondered much the same as I’m an ex caregiver, widowed and have really developed trust issues. My plan is to attend as many of like minded events as possible and try to make connections.

I have no friends. If I'm not working, I'm at home. My roommate is the only person I talk to outside of work.

I find myself in the same shoes. I'm between two big cities, but still nothing to do. Particularly when you take into account some health issues and determining what i can do and what I can't do anymore...

Join things: gym, evening classes, gardening clubs, the local art society, the history society, etc. You have to put yourself in a situation where you have no choice but to talk.

It is harder in person because the fear of rejection stares back at you in the other persons face.

The reason is because you are afraid of failures ..whereas whenever you approach someone chances are bright you may get along ..try it