Building a new life after losing one's partner?

by Joan
(Spain)

I lost my husband 18 months ago. During my married life I did everything with my man and we were together all the time as we also worked together, so that now i feel very alone. We retired about two years ago and moved to Majorca and as we had each other i didn't really feel the need to make new friends and i have lost touch with my old friends in the UK.

Now that I am on my own, i'm feeling lonely. I am having trouble making friends and find it difficult to talk to people i don't know. It is hard enough finding new friendships let alone finding a new partner. But i don't want to grow old alone. I don't even want to go out to eat anymore as everyone else seems to be in couples or groups of friends and i feel out of place. Same in bars. When i go to social clubs, I find that the people who know each other sit together and don't welcome outsiders, especially single women. I feel like a wallflower. How can I make new friends and even find love again?