Everyone feels lonely sometimes. Feeling lonely doesn’t always have anything to do with actually being around people, it has more to do with feeling heard and connected with. Even if you’re surrounded by people you can still feel lonely. Here are 7 things you can do when you are feeling lonely.
1. Call a good friend
One of the easiest ways to fight loneliness is to call a good friend. Even better if you can call your best friend or someone you have a genuine connection with. It will make you feel better almost instantly in many cases. Even if they live miles away talking on the phone can also give you the same benefits, but ideally if they live close by get together and have a fun time.
2. Go out and meet new people
There are billions of people in the world and the funny thing is many of them feel just as lonely as you do. Seek out new friends. Go to the gym and strike up a conversation with someone. When that weird lady in the grocery line talks to you, talk back to her. Actually say hi to your neighbor the next time you see them. You can be surprised at some of the interesting people you meet, things you learn, and you might even make a new friend.
3. Join a group or club
One of the best things about joining a group or club is that you get to see the same people every week or month so it’s easier to make actual connections with people. Plus you already have a common interest in something so if you do decide to hang out you’ll have something to talk about. At the very least you’ll have people to talk to when you come to the group each week.
4. Take a class
This is similar to joining a group or club except classes or usually shorter term and have more people. If you’re in school if you have someone in more than one class that’s an easy way to start up a conversation with them. If you’re just taking a class for fun don’t be afraid to exchange numbers with people when the class ends to stay in touch or when it begins to help each other with class work or projects.
5. Write in your journal
Writing about how you feel and why you feel lonely can give you some insight on what you actually need in your life. Sometimes we aren’t even really lonely, there’s a deeper issue and we just think we are lonely. Writing in your journal allows you to do some self discovery and figure out what’s really wrong. Feel free to take this quiz, Why are you really feeling sad?, to help you figure it out if you’re really lonely if it’s really something else.
6. Talk to God or the Universe or someone who’s passed away
Sometimes the only person you want to talk to isn’t someone who can talk back, but that doesn’t have to stop you from talking to them. People do it all the time and it’s actually therapeutic. Find a private place and talk out loud. Talk about whatever you want to whoever you want. Tell them how you feel, maybe even ask for help. Remember it never hurts to ask for help, especially from a higher power or someone you love.
7. Get lost in a good book
Reading a good book and take your mind somewhere else and let you get lost in someone else’s story instead of focusing so much on yourself. Depending on the book, it might even give you some perceptive about life that you hadn’t really thought of and make you feel a little bit better about your own life. Find a book that you don’t want to put down and enjoy it.
These are cool tips. Watching tv series helps me.