Has a subtle sense of loneliness snuck into your life? This can often happen this time of year in the Western hemisphere, following the festive winter holidays with their brightness of activities and abundance of social interactions.
If you feel lonely when you are alone, it’s time to seek connection with others.
Consider some loving actions you could take to alleviate loneliness and foster meaningful interactions:
- Nurture an existing relationship through regular catchup in person or virtually. Reach out to a loved one. Strong bonds with loving people are crucial for your wellness.
- Create new relationships:
Join a social group aligned with your interests,
Volunteer for a cause close to your heart,
Explore a new hobby,
Attend a local event, workshop, or community gathering. - What about getting physical? Join a new fitness class or a sports team, ideally in person, so you can experience benefits not only to your physical health but also enjoy opportunities for social interaction.
PS: Here is an important distinction! It’s a good idea to get clear: am I feeling alone or lonely? In the article The Vast Difference Between Aloneness and Loneliness, Dr. Margaret Paul explains: “the feelings of aloneness and emptiness are the result of emotional self-abandonment—of ignoring your feelings, judging yourself, using addictions to numb your feelings, and of making others responsible for you feeling loved, safe, and worthy.” On the other hand, “loneliness is the feeling most of us have when we want to connect with someone and no one is around to connect with, or the people who are around are closed off and not available for connection.” We can feel a moment of loneliness in many situations, such as if you are open and friendly with a colleague at work, but the colleague is closed and grumpy.
💫 Remember to engage in self-observation, and observation of others, without judgment! Contact us here to help you shift out of loneliness.