In this fast-paced world, it is often also a place of isolation. You can have all your physical needs met without leaving home. Even social needs are seemingly met with the press of a button and log on to the happenings around you via social media. We may watch these experiences though and rather than feel connected, feel a sense of isolation. We might wonder, why wasn’t I invited?
How is it that everyone has plans and great friends but me? Even when we are around others, we sometimes feel we don’t quite fit in which may only exacerbate our sense of loneliness. However, there are a few ways to reduce feelings of loneliness:
Connect with others: Even if you don’t feel you get much out of it, it’s important to reach out anyway! Reach out to friends and family, join a club or group that interests you, or volunteer in your community. Most often, you’ll find that when you reach out, you are helping those around you also feel less isolated.
Engage in activities: Take up a hobby or activity that you enjoy, or try something new. See those cool things on social media that “everyone” is doing but you? Do them! Don’t worry about doing the fanciest, most expensive version of those things. But be proactive! Do them even if you aren’t good at them! Think of it has a “Pinterest fail” attempt to create some art, take a short hike, or book a road trip to a local tourist site. Make it fun and funny to have non-exotic adventures right in your own neighborhood or hometown!
Practice self-care: Take care of your physical and mental health through exercise, healthy eating, and getting enough sleep. Prioritize your physical and mental health rather than focusing on your sense of loneliness. Sometimes, as we are engaged in taking time to care for ourselves, we reconnect with ourselves in a way that allows us to feel less lonely over all!
Seek professional help: If you find that you're struggling with loneliness, consider talking to a therapist or counselor. Loneliness can be a symptom of depression, anxiety, or negative thinking patterns. A good therapist will help you realize you are worthy of connection and be willing to identify the barriers of connection to move forward!
Practice gratitude: Take time to appreciate the good things in your life and be thankful for them. Notice the people in your life who do show up. Showing them more appreciation and gratitude will help you feel closer to them as well! It’s fun to make new friends and have interesting connections, but it is the people that show up for the more monotonous parts of our lives that often get overlooked.
It's important to remember that feeling lonely is a normal part of the human experience, and everyone goes through it at some point in their lives. With time, effort, and professional support, you can feel more connected than you ever thought possible!