Feeling connected to the Fort Myers community started the day I laced up my shoes and took a walk. For me, overcoming loneliness in Fort Myers began with a simple habit, getting outside and saying hello. After 14 years building a local real estate investment firm, I stepped away in January 2021 while dealing with depression and anxiety. I left the company I’d helped build and had poured myself into, and started a season of reflection. Freedom brought an unexpected challenge, loneliness, as family and friends stayed busy with work and school.

Key Takeaways (TL;DR)

• Many residents feel isolated and small steps make a real difference
• Nature, volunteering, and weekly routines create belonging over time
• Local parks, refuges, and nonprofits offer easy ways to plug in
• We care about homes and the community that makes them meaningful

Walking my way back to community

So I started walking. Day by day I walked 10, 11, sometimes 15 miles. I wandered old neighborhoods, found quiet at Lakes Park, and followed the John Yarbrough Linear Park to its pot of gold at Sun Harvest Citrus. As the miles added up, solitude shifted into presence. I remembered who I am, the people and experiences that shaped me, and why Southwest Florida feels like home. In that quiet, I felt less alone and more rooted in this place.

A city growing during the pandemic years

During the pandemic years, Fort Myers saw a population surge. New neighbors arrived from across the country, drawn by sunshine, space, and work from anywhere jobs. Streets got busier, schools added students, and store lines stretched. The growth brought energy and opportunity. It also left many newcomers starting over without roots and longtime residents adjusting to change. When a place grows this fast, loneliness can grow too. Naming that reality helps, and it reminds us that connection takes intention and small daily choices.

Why connection matters here

Loneliness affects health, energy, and hope. PLoS Medicine found that people with strong social relationships had a 50 percent greater chance of survival than those with weaker ties, which shows how powerful connection can be. PLOS The U.S. Surgeon General’s 2023 advisory reports that lacking social connection raises the risk of premature death at a level similar to smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day, and that poor connection is linked with a 29 percent higher risk of heart disease and a 32 percent higher risk of stroke. HHS.gov The World Health Organization estimates that about one in six people worldwide experience loneliness, which means many of our neighbors are walking through this too. who.int

Local places and programs that help

Lee County Parks and Recreation offers activities that make meeting people easier. The Heights Foundation in Harlem Heights opens doors through education and opportunity. Volunteers strengthen our safety net at Pace Center for Girls, Harry Chapin Food Bank, and Children’s Network of SWFL. Pick one, show up each week, and watch how quickly familiar faces become friends.

Solitude in nature can heal

We talk a lot about joining groups, and time alone in nature also helps. Southwest Florida has quiet, restorative places that reset perspective. As one neighbor shared

“Solo kayaking the backwaters of Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge was one of my favorite respite spots during my recovery from grief and loneliness following the loss of my 19-year-old son to brain cancer,” says refuge volunteer Dr. Joe Blanda. “Being present while immersing yourself in nature allows your mind, body, and soul to participate in something much larger than ourselves. It reminds us of the beauty and wonder that life offers, providing a fresh perspective and an opportunity to cultivate joy for ourselves. For example, watching the metamorphosis of a monarch caterpillar, or the recovery of the storm damaged landscape, can help us receive adversity as a gift to strengthen our resilience and foster a sense of community.”

Simple ways to start overcoming loneliness in Fort Myers

Start with nature
Take a sunrise loop at Lakes Park or a slow walk on the Linear Park trail.

Volunteer each week
Choose one mission and commit to it.

Join a weekly group
Pick a class, a run club, or a faith community where you see the same faces.

Say the first hello
Short chats with neighbors, baristas, and park regulars add up.

Weekly routines like walks, groups, and volunteering support overcoming loneliness in Fort Myers.

Why this matters to us at Worthington

At Worthington Realty, we are more than Realtors. We are neighbors. Our work is about homes, sure, but it is also about the networks of care that make those homes meaningful. Most homeowners feel overwhelmed when it’s time to move. At Worthington Realty, we provide personalized guidance and clear communication so that you feel heard, valued, and confident in your decisions. Ready for a fresh start? Browse homes or visit WorthingtonRealty.com.