How to Deal with Loneliness
1. Try and discover why you feel so lonely. When did you first become aware of the feelings? Is there anything that’s intensified it?
2. Recognize that there’s a difference between feeling lonely and having to spend some time on your own. When we’re used to being around other people, perhaps before we broke up with our girlfriend or boyfriend, then suddenly being single can feel awkward and strange. However, being alone here is different from intense, painful feelings of loneliness.
3. Talk about your feelings with someone you trust. Just sharing how we feel can make a huge difference. It helps us to feel heard and understood – so we don’t feel so abandoned, unwanted and alone.
4. Work on developing your self-confidence. Always being busy and hanging out with others can stop us from finding and being our true self. But as you start to develop your own tastes and interests you’ll find that you start to feel more confident.
5. Be the one who initiates activities with others. For example, suggest a movie that is popular right now, and try and get some friends to go and see it as a group. Or, invite a few friends over – don’t wait for them to do it – and you might be surprised by how much fun you have!
6. Reach out to others and help when you can. It will soon take your mind off yourself and your feelings – and you’ll grow in self-respect and self-confidence.