Loneliness is not just about being on our own when we don’t want to be. Loneliness occurs even when we’re “in a crowd.” Even though we come into contact with many people during our daily routine – in the office, on our commute, socially or even online – yet we can still feel disconnected!
Loneliness can be as much about being isolated from our own self as it is about feeling isolated from people and places.
So, is it possible to remove the feeling of loneliness? The answer is . . . wait for it . . . yes! How? Well, as Tennessee Williams wrote, “When so many are lonely as seem to be lonely, it would be inexcusably selfish to be lonely alone.” Just remember this: you may feel lonely but chances are you are not alone nor are you the only one feeling lonely.
Step out of your comfort zone and actively build healthy relationships. There is a whole world out there – a world of billions!
You might want to be more approachable. Smile more and see what a difference it makes. How about reducing the time you spend online! Another effective way to break the pattern of loneliness is volunteering and helping others. Get out there, do something, anything!
But be careful not to make your schedule too busy; make sure to leave some time for yourself because loneliness is really about you being disconnected from yourself. So, get better at being alone without being lonely. Create some “alone time”.
Being alone is healthy but spending all your time alone in a state of loneliness isn’t.
So remember, alone does not mean lonely. Alone means to feel comfortable in your own skin, to accept yourself as you are. Be your own best friend and start accepting all your flaws. You’re worth it!
As you get more and more comfortable being alone, try going a step further. Go out by yourself and do things that you would normally do with others. Like watching a film or eating at a restaurant – its cool!
Simply put, it’s about balancing your “alone time”, your “getting out time” and your “time with others”.
This blog is part of “The A – Z Challenge”, shifting one negative habit a week into a positive. For more info on the challenge, click here: https://www.innerspace.org.uk/challenges/a-z-challenge.php
