What to do when you're really lonely?
I've honestly been struggling with feeling alone lately and I can't see to get out of the funk. Like I don't think anyone is purposefully trying to make me feel left out, but I'm still lonely a lot of the time. I'm sure there's been a lot of people who've been through this, so do you have any advice on what I should do?
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Expert Comments
So if you're the type of person who doesn't historically reach out to other people, probably the biggest thing you can do is try reaching out and chatting. It might be a little awkward or uncomfortable at first, but it's really important to feel that you are connected with other people. So many people feel like they have to call or text for a specific reason or occasion, but it'll mean a lot to just reach out to someone out of the blue.
Another thing you can do is try going to the activities that are rejuvenating for you. You could watch something on Netflix that you really love and connect with, you could go for a walk and reconnect with nature, reread your favorite book. Make a list of the things that you love doing and make you feel full, and make sure you're referencing that list whenever you're feeling like you're alone.
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Another thing you can do is try going to the activities that are rejuvenating for you. You could watch something on Netflix that you really love and connect with, you could go for a walk and reconnect with nature, reread your favorite book. Make a list of the things that you love doing and make you feel full, and make sure you're referencing that list whenever you're feeling like you're alone.
Reader Comments
If you're feeling lonely in the moment:
- Message or call a friend
- Put on a podcast or YouTube video with someone talking
- Watch something funny or uplifting
- Take a hot shower or bath
- Go for a walk
- Go somewhere you can interact with other people
- Make yourself a treat to eat
- Pet your pets (if you have them)
- (severe loneliness) call a crisis line
If you're feeling lonely long-term:
- Put more intentional effort into building existing relationships (messaging friends/family more frequently, scheduling more in-person hangouts)
- Sign up for a class, join a hobby/interest group, join a recreational sports team, volunteer, or do anything where you'd be interacting with the same people on a regular basis
- Learn to enjoy being by yourself. Being lonely and alone are not the same. Work on yourself and do things that bring you joy
- Determine if the loneliness may stem from mental health issues. Seeing a therapist or doctor may help depending on the nature of your problem
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- Message or call a friend
- Put on a podcast or YouTube video with someone talking
- Watch something funny or uplifting
- Take a hot shower or bath
- Go for a walk
- Go somewhere you can interact with other people
- Make yourself a treat to eat
- Pet your pets (if you have them)
- (severe loneliness) call a crisis line
If you're feeling lonely long-term:
- Put more intentional effort into building existing relationships (messaging friends/family more frequently, scheduling more in-person hangouts)
- Sign up for a class, join a hobby/interest group, join a recreational sports team, volunteer, or do anything where you'd be interacting with the same people on a regular basis
- Learn to enjoy being by yourself. Being lonely and alone are not the same. Work on yourself and do things that bring you joy
- Determine if the loneliness may stem from mental health issues. Seeing a therapist or doctor may help depending on the nature of your problem
I'm sorry that you're feeling lonely! I went through a breakup recently and one of my friends also moved away, so I've also been struggling with loneliness. Something that helped me is joining a weekly writing group. It's helped me connect with other people and I'm even starting to hang out with some of the writers outside of the context of the group! You don't have to specifcally join a writing group. Find a hobby or interest that you like and get involved!
Also, a big problem that contributed to my loneliness right after the breakup was getting sucked into my phone. I'd spend hours scrolling on social media, and that was time taken away from things that could enrich my life better. Be intentional about where and how you spend your time.
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Also, a big problem that contributed to my loneliness right after the breakup was getting sucked into my phone. I'd spend hours scrolling on social media, and that was time taken away from things that could enrich my life better. Be intentional about where and how you spend your time.
There is a program on android to mail a stranger ,maybe also try to have a pen pal I don't know if that is such a thing now but on reader digest there were a page for people who want to correspond with each other using mail
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I'm sorry your feeling lonely, I feel lonely as well, and I also find going out to be a big problem at the moment. You can have lots of friends and be busy but still feel lonely. Sometimes you just need to sit back and think what is it that I'm feeling lonely about. You will probably think you don't have a reason to be lonely but you could just be having a few rough days here and there and feel like your on your own and no one's on your side. We sometimes have so much going on that when you all of a sudden don't you may take it as loneliness. Do the things you enjoy doing and if you feel better it might just be a attack of the blues, we all get them. Find some me time and treat yourself to something you don't usually do but enjoy doing. Even if it's just a coffee from a Cafe you like or your favourite food. I find spending time in nature helps or people watching. Just sitting something and watching people go by and guessing what they like doing or what type of person they are. Sometimes just sitting in the park with a book is a good thing to do or ask if you can take a friend's dog for a walk if you don't have one. So much joy can be found with animals, and the dog will love you for the walk. Best wi4to you.
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