It's hard to believe that in times of digital communication and social media such as Facebook, more and more people feel lonely. But unfortunately, real-life contact often falls by the wayside with virtual contacts. You start to feel lonely. And this is precisely the problem: loneliness is above all an inner feeling that can occur at any time. Because loneliness can affect married people, singles and children just as easily. Nowadays, our own lifestyle in particular harbors many risks: Frequent changes of residence, big city life and distance from family and relatives. All this can mean that we have fewer social contacts and find it increasingly difficult to make new ones.
Older people are particularly affected: Their children and grandchildren usually don't live nearby. In contrast, single households in large cities are on the rise. In addition, the days when people were involved in clubs, charitable organizations or political associations are over.
Being alone is not the same as being lonely
It can affect mothers and wives just as much as widowed senior citizens. The decisive factor is not whether we are actually alone, but rather whether we feel understood by those around us or whether our needs fall by the wayside. If this is the case, it can happen that we withdraw more and more into a shell. However, this also reduces our self-esteem, which often leads to us having an extremely negative self-image. A dangerous cycle that can lead to loneliness.
Overcoming loneliness
- The first thing you should do is think positively and focus on your good qualities. Meditation can help you get closer to yourself again and accept yourself as you are. It is also helpful not to worry about what others think of you.
- Don't wait for someone to approach you. Take the first step, even if you run the risk of being rejected. Find a hobby where you can meet other people: a course at the adult education center or a choir. Voluntary work is also a great way to meet people. Small talk at the supermarket checkout or with a neighbor is enough to get you started.
- Even a smile, an open ear or your time signal to your fellow human beings that you are interested in them. This will make the other person feel good and react more positively to you. Take part in the lives of others, share something about yourself and you will soon be able to make new contacts.