The Feeling of Loneliness
Humans are sociable beings, and it is our instinct to seek out other people. It’s perfectly natural to feel lonely when such demands aren’t addressed. Loneliness is a common sensation that we all experience at some point in our lives.
It can sometimes be caused by our isolation from other people. However, it commonly appears when you feel isolated or misunderstood by those around you. It’s common to feel that you don’t “fit in” with your peers, friends, or society in general at any age.
Even if we can all relate to loneliness, we all have distinct experiences with it. What makes you lonely might not bother someone else, and vice versa. Loneliness comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. You may have a close group of pals, but you secretly wish you had that one best buddy. Maybe you have both, yet you yearn to be in a romantic relationship. You can find it difficult to make quick connections with people and wind up feeling lonely in new situations. No matter what situation you’re in, the loneliness you’re experiencing is perfectly understandable and valid.
Because of something in your environment, you may feel lonely at times. After relocating or going through a breakup, you may feel lonely. Alternatively, you may be going through a difficult time in your life and wish you had someone to help you get through it. Loneliness can be a symptom of sadness, anxiety, or other mental illnesses. Feeling connected to people, for whatever reason, is a crucial aspect of general well-being.
In order to do so, these are a few recommendations:
#1 Boost the existing connections you have.
Loneliness might make it difficult to identify the relationships that are right in front of you. Do you have coworkers who appear kind but with whom you aren’t particularly close? Perhaps there is a new student in your class who is seeking for a companion as well. Or that individual you’ve never really spoken to despite the fact that you “like” each other’s social media posts all the time. Try contacting one of these persons, or a friend you’ve lost touch with in the past several years.
Some of these people may surprise you with their willingness to connect on a deeper level. It’s good to feel a little more connected to the people around you, even if they don’t become your new best friend.
#2 Take a class or join a club.
What if you’d like to make new friends? Participate in activities that are related to your passions. It’s easier to form a friendship with persons with whom you share interests. Look for a book club, a sports team, or an art class to join. You can even commit to attending an exercise class at the same time each week, and you’ll likely run into some of the same people. Don’t forget about internet communities! If you can’t locate a decent local club, there’s almost certainly an excellent online community for every hobby or interest you can think of.
#3 Take pleasure in your own company.
Being alone does not have to imply loneliness. It’s vital to be a part of a community, but it’s also crucial to have a healthy connection with oneself. Make sure you’re speaking to yourself with kindness and crediting yourself in the same way you would someone else. Lean into your favorite alone activities—watch that list of movies you’ve been wanting to see, or acquire a starter kit for that new pastime you’ve been meaning to try. Take some time to reconnect with your true self: your strengths, faults, objectives, and everything else that makes you, well, you. Knowing oneself better makes it simpler to feel good about yourself when you go out and socialize.
