Connecting Through Leisure: A Multi-author Blog as A Site for Relationship-building During the Transition to Retirement

Leisure is vital for social engagement, whether in-person or virtual. Older adults may be at risk of social isolation and loneliness, yet social engagement may counteract the negative implications of this for quality of life. In this article, we share findings from our longitudinal online qualitative study exploring leisure and retirement transitions. In particular, we focus on the role of a multi-author blog in creating opportunities for our study participants to engage with one another, connect over shared leisure interests, and build a safe and supportive online community. We collected data from 44 baby boomers over three years. Using reflexive thematic analysis, we generated two main themes: creating a sense of community, and blogging as a space for mutual support. Community was fostered through humour, shared interests, and resource sharing. As a sense of community formed, the blog evolved into space for mutual support where participants cheered each other on, inspired each other, sought and offered advice, and supported one another during challenging times. Our findings demonstrate that a multi-author blog not only serves as a valuable tool for collecting data about leisure experiences, but also benefits research participants by facilitating common ground and fostering a supportive community. This community allows for sharing of ideas and knowledge, celebration of successes, and compassion during difficulties. Its theoretical and practical implications are further discussed.