I was having lunch with my friends yesterday and one of the topics of conversation that came up was loneliness and how it can make one do some crazy out of character things.
There is little that is so difficult for a person to bear as loneliness, prisoners held in solitary confinement have told of rejoicing to see even a spider – at least it is something alive. I believe, God created us to be communal beings, but our modern world is frighteningly devoid of relationships. In many areas of life, technological progress has resulted in the deterioration of community. Increasingly, technology has made people seem unnecessary.
My grandma always tells me “there is a big difference in being alone and being lonely.” I believe if we are filled with God’s love, we can never be lonely or down for long; we will always find someone to reach out to. God is always near us; all we need to do is reach out to him.
If you are feeling lonely, the most important thing to remember is that you are never alone in feeling lonely, and there are lots of things you can do to make yourself to feel better. Loneliness can be overcome. It does require a conscious effort on your part to make a change. In the long run, making a change can make you happier, healthier, and enable you to impact others around you in a positive way.
You could possibly consider community service or another activity that you enjoy. These situations present great opportunities to meet people and cultivate new friendships and social interactions. Always expect the best, lonely people often expect negative outcomes, so instead focus on positive thoughts and attitudes in your social relationships. Focus on developing quality relationships rather than quantity. Seek people who share similar attitudes, interests, and values with you.
Loneliness could be a sign that something in your life needs to change, understand the effects of loneliness on your life, there are physical and mental effects of loneliness.
Feeling lonely can be all consuming, and it can make you feel like it is going to last forever. The thing is, it absolutely doesn’t have to, you just need to be proactive. I know it can make it all feel a bit pointless, but loneliness is only ever going to end if you do something about it.
* The author is a consultant and coach. Instagram handle: @miss_shefa, Website: missshefa.com
Shefa Ali
