I am a newly retired special education teacher on disability for COPD.I am having trouble finding a social group to engage with.I would love to find a slow walking buddy and someone to talk about the issues that come up for me.I have gone to respiratory therapy and the better breather’s group for a few years.People are nice at the therapy gym but it I don’t see people engaging past hi how are ya and it feels very impersonal.I can’t stand the constant stream of news on the tv’s there either.The better breather’s group is a sit in a room and listen to presentations, folks don’t know each other’s names or get together and talk after.I am struggling with my limitations and pure loneliness.I am an artist and do things to keep busy but the social isolation does not help me get out of my negative overthinking of stuff.I was so busy as a teacher and had other teachers to talk with or go out with after work but that isn’t happening.I went up for lunch last week, it was great to see everyone but we had a half an hour to visit and it was a two hour drive for me to do that.I left wanting more.I do volunteer to read with kids once a week but again it does not offer much social opportunity for me. I really want to find friendship. I am married but my husband works nights so I don’t even have anyone to sit in front of a screen with.I eat dinner alone and go to bed alone. I have outright asked on my Facebook post for company but people are busy working and doing there stuff at night.I go on walks when I can but each exacerbation is a set back and so hard to build myself up again.I am in that space now getting over a virus.I feel if I had someone else in a similar situation as I am it would be easier to get moving again.How do others connect with people to interact face to face?How do I make friends at this phase in my life?