Loneliness can be painful, especially if you are isolating yourself. You may be feeling like no one really understands what you are going through, or no one really cares. It may feel like there’s no end in sight. What can help when you are feeling this way?
Know it won’t last forever
Loneliness is part of the cycle of life. It comes and goes like waves. When you realize that it won’t always be this intense, it’s easier to accept feelings of isolation. Tell yourself, “it’s okay, I won’t always be feeling this way.”
Reach out, even if you don’t feel like it
Your tendency will be to be alone, but that won’t help. Contact someone who really cares about you and tell them what you are going through. Plan to meet with them, even if it’s only for short periods. A compassionate soul can work wonders for your well-being.
Don’t judge yourself
Don’t tell yourself you should be over it, or feeling a different way. That absolutely won’t help matters. In fact, it will make things worse. Be kind to yourself. Treat yourself as you would a friend going through a bad patch.
Help someone else
When you give of yourself, you get out of yourself, just a little bit for a short period of time. Making a difference in someone’s life can be very rewarding. Look for opportunities where you can do that.
Use the time alone to be creative
There can be a creative side to loneliness. When we move through the pain of loneliness, we may find that our creativity is stimulated. We may find ourselves writing poetry, dramatic performances, painting, etc.
