How Do You Deal with Weekend Loneliness?

Ever since I started working, weekends have become a time of loneliness and boredom. I work at a small firm with just eight staff members, all of whom are 45+, so I don’t really have anyone close to my age to hang out with. The weekdays are hectic, so I’m fully occupied from Monday to Friday, but when Friday night comes around, I can’t shake off this feeling of emptiness.

I’ve tried various activities like painting classes, rappelling, go-karting, and even art classes in the hopes of finding some company. But the issue is, most of the people who show up to these activities are either part of a couple or in a group, making it hard to connect. With February now here, the number of couples has definitely increased, and it’s become even harder to not feel out of place. It feels like the weekends are reserved for everyone else’s socializing, and I’m left behind.

I’m curious – how do you deal with weekend loneliness? Are there any ways I can make my weekends feel more fulfilling or at least less isolating? How do you manage when everyone around you seems to have company and you’re just trying to fill the time? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!