Loneliness is one of the most difficult feelings to overcome and move past. Feeling lonely as you work your way through life can make everything more difficult than it already is. We’ve all felt it at one time or another, and we can all relate to the pain it brings. The problem is, loneliness doesn’t necessarily affect individuals who don’t have people around them; loneliness can impact people who are in relationships, have friends, or even have colleagues they talk to on a regular basis.
Loneliness tends to force us to compare ourselves to others, which is detrimental in its own way.
You never know what another person is going through behind the scenes, but loneliness has a way of telling us that somebody else has it better than we do. They’re surrounded by friends and people so their life is perfect. We know this isn’t true. The trick is to stop comparing, stop seeking the approval of the people around us, and learn to find solace on our own.
Here are 4 realistic ways to end loneliness in your life.
1. Enjoy the Time You Have to Yourself
Being alone doesn’t mean you need to feel lonely. The time you spend on your own can be just as beneficial as the time you spend surrounded by others. Being alone allows time for self-reflection that isn’t possible when you’re being social. Having time for introspection teaches you about who you are, why you do the things you do, and what experiences shape your present situation. If you don’t spend time alone, you could lose track of who you are.
2. Quit Comparing Yourself to Others
Comparisons get you nowhere, especially when you compare yourself to someone you don’t even know. Loneliness will tell you that someone walking down the street has a better life than you, even if that’s all the evidence you have to base your comparison. This kind of thinking needs to stop. Not only do you have no idea what’s going on in somebody’s personal life, but you also can’t possibly judge your own happiness based on how happy you think another person is. Your life is your own.
3. Escape Your Comfort Zone
Don’t forget that you can always change certain aspects of your life. Just because you’ve gotten used to a feeling, it doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be changed. Getting out of your comfort zone will allow you to experience something new, meet new people, and learn something about yourself. You can be in a room full of people and still feeling incredibly lonely, which is why you need to find the source of your loneliness. Find the source and escape.
4. Redefine Your Life’s Purpose
Having a purpose in life or a goal can be life changing; it gives you a sense of direction, and it starts laying a path underneath your feet. If you feel lost or lonely, you may need to redefine what your purpose in life should be. Only you are in control of the direction of your life, which means you can’t rely on somebody else for happiness. Take a long look at what you want out of life, then go get it.
