It can be really sobering when you look around and realize how few, if any, genuine friends you have. Some people have numerous good friends, but others of us don’t. A lot of people have friends with whom both parties initiate contact to say hello, have conversations, and support one another. But some of us don’t. For too many people these days, there are few to no close friends who initiate contact, and when we try to initiate an online conversation for example, people often don’t even bother to respond.
Loneliness is tough. It can be painful, exhausting, heartbreaking, and potentially devastating, especially when we let it consume us. At times, it can feel hopeless and almost overwhelming.
Loneliness also has the potential to increase risks of mental and physical health problems.
I know all about loneliness because I’ve been living with it for decades. I understand the pain and challenges that come with it. Seeing other people have numerous close friends while I can’t seem to find even one.
Anyone is susceptible. It can be individuals with lots of people around them or others who are physically alone and isolated. All ages, genders, sexualities, races… No one is immune.
Kinda scary I know.
Thing is, while loneliness can be terribly challenging to deal with, we shouldn’t let it consume us. We must learn to control it, not let it control us.
Believe in yourself, even at the most difficult moments. Remember that you can rely on yourself no matter what. I know, it can be brutal at times, but never give up on you.
Stay open to the possibility of connecting with someone because after being hurt so much and so often, it can be easy to automatically shut people out to try to protect ourselves from further disappointments, letdowns, rejections, and crushed hopes. The problem with shutting people out is that it can also isolate us even more and prevent us from establishing contact and potential relationships with others.
So be open to meeting people. Don’t automatically rule out letting them in. If they hurt you, don’t let it bring you down. I know it can be frustrating and terribly painful, especially when you don’t have any close friends and attempts to find one seem to keep failing. Still, metaphorically speaking: Get back up, brush yourself off, and keep moving forward.
Another thing is to try to find happiness in yourself. There is truth to the idea of love and have faith in yourself.
Believe in you! Doing so will help make life more enjoyable and also increase the possibility of perhaps connecting with others. And if you don’t find someone to connect with anytime soon, you’ll still have you!
Do things you enjoy, even if you are doing them on your own. Use your imagination because there, you can experience, explore, and do whatever you want.
And don’t be afraid to talk to a counselor, psychologist, or psychiatrist. There is absolutely no shame in doing so, and it may help you cope with your circumstances a whole lot better.
And please, never give up!
Remember that you can always rely on yourself!
Views and Observations 