Loneliness: Struggles and Strategies for Overcoming It

Loneliness, how do I describe thee?

Some are lonely by choice, some by habit while some have loneliness thrust upon them.

Medically speaking, loneliness is a cause of concern when the feeling is excessive as it can lead to depression and suicidal thoughts plus some physical repercussions. It is a result of changes in our lives, mental health conditions, low self-esteem and personality traits. At times it makes a person isolated from society which is termed social loneliness. At times it is an absence of relationships which is termed Emotional loneliness. At times it is a feeling of being aloof from others and the world which is termed Existential loneliness.

Loneliness in Diverse Living Situations: Personal choice or unseen struggle?

Emotional challenges faced by Individuals living apart:

In today’s world, we can see that many senior citizens are living alone as their children are married or settled overseas. In such situations, the children are always worried about their parents’ well-being. Not to fret, as there are some organizations that work for these seniors. The recommendation is Depend Ablez, in Kolkata, which sends volunteers to those seniors, who require assistance for their daily activities. You can check their page on Facebook. This initiative is the idea of a schoolmate mate, Ms. Turni Dhar who has completed three successful years.

There are some individuals residing away from their homes, for studies or work. I have a few friends who have stayed apart from their spouses for years owing to work-related obligations but have coped admirably. Of course, the internet has played a vital part in times of loneliness by connecting with their family online.

Personal Choices for Living Alone:

There are some individuals who stay alone as a matter of choice. Though they have friends and family, they prefer their own company and are content being by themselves. It acknowledges that solitude is not always a negative experience and can be a fulfilling choice for some.

Loneliness in Old Age Homes:

Some senior citizens are sent to old age homes or assisted living facilities by their children/ family. The sense of loneliness they feel is indescribable. It saddens me to think of their plight. No doubt such homes must have good facilities for the seniors but family is family, after all.

Self-isolation and student life

In the digital age, some individuals find themselves immersed in their smartphones, leaving little time for face-to-face interactions with friends. Activities like web browsing and social media, along with constant television engagement, replace valuable moments meant for building real-world relationships, contributing to a sense of loneliness and self-isolation.

The students who are residing away from their homes feel homesick and lonely. To combat this, they form friendships with their peers and overcome their loneliness

"If you're lonely when you're alone, you're in bad company."

Jean-Paul Sartre, American author and poet

Fragmented Ties: Silent Loneliness in the Joint Families

Some joint families have gradually drifted apart and are now a cluster of nuclear families. Meeting occasionally on festivals they are together but they are lonely on an emotional level. The frequent disagreements of the joint family led to their drifting apart. This kind of loneliness can be felt and not expressed in words.

Shadows of Fame: Loneliness and Tragic Endings in the Lives of Forgotten Film Legends

In the annals of the film industry, there exist instances of individuals who were once legends in their time but ultimately faced anonymous deaths following a fall from stardom. The absence of work opportunities led them into the depths of depression, contributing to both mental and physical health issues. In some tragic cases, desertion by family added to their woes, resulting in these once-celebrated figures passing away in solitude, their legacies overshadowed by the challenges they encountered in their later years

Strategies to overcome loneliness

There are some ways to overcome loneliness and promote well-being such as:

Accept the situation and come to terms with it. Build up the emotional strength to face it.
Be more social by developing and working on your relationships with family, friends, and colleagues.
Cultivate your hobbies and learn new ones
Meet like-minded people and form new friendships.
Meditate and practice mindfulness. Read/listen to motivational books/speeches.
Learn to adapt to new places and conditions
Stay happy and spread the feeling
Indulge in self-care by eating healthy, staying fit by exercising and getting proper sleep without any kind of stress or anxiety
Surround yourself with happy people who radiate positivity and make you smile and feel good.
Be more communicative and learn to voice your feelings and share them with family or close friends.
Keep yourself occupied with work or chores or hobbies so that the feeling of being lonely is reduced.
Volunteer with old age homes, religious places of worship, NGOs, orphanages, and such social institutions.
Mentor the maid’s children by guiding them in their studies and helping them.
Donate to good causes and feel good about giving back to society. Feel a sense of accomplishment and self-worth.
Indulge in activities that improve your self-esteem and self-confidence.
Get married if you are single!
Take the time to discover and know yourself.
Take a hike or travel to new places. Meet new friends. Eat exotic food.

If the feeling of loneliness is overwhelming, do not hesitate to consult a therapist or seek professional guidance

"Loneliness is the human condition. Cultivate it. The way it tunnels into you allows your soul room to grow. Never expect to outgrow loneliness. Never hope to find people who will understand you, someone to fill that space. An intelligent, sensitive person is the exception, the very great exception. If you expect to find people who will understand you, you will grow murderous with disappointment. The best you'll ever do is to understand yourself, know what it is that you want, and not let the cattle stand in your way".

Maya Angelou, American writer

Conclusion:

All said and done, just try to evolve as a better human being and the feeling of loneliness will disappear… poof!! We know the situation cannot be reversed so why not make the most of it? After all, we have one life to live. Instead of crying for the days we have left on Earth, let us smile and embrace our loneliness. Let us learn more about ourselves and use this opportunity to make a difference in the world. As John Steinbeck says “All great and precious things are lonely. “