What's your struggle?
Knowing that you are lonely may not help you stop loneliness once it strikes. So let’s dive right into some quick tools to help fight loneliness in the moment — especially when society’s circumstances make loneliness feel inevitable.
Easily adapt to coronavirus loneliness with these steps:
1. Make a list
You may feel like you’re lonely because you have no one to reach out to. Or those you regularly chat with in real life suddenly aren’t part of your daily routine, thanks to COVID-19.
Try challenging yourself by making a connection list or map. List names of family, friends, and acquaintances — with your name at the center.
You can draw lines depending on how distant or close you feel to these people. Even if it’s been a while, you’ll have an idea of who you can reconnect with. And we promise you’ll see, you’re not as alone as you may think.
2. Find a group
During social distancing and shelter-in-place, it can be hard to maintain your in-person support networks and hobby groups. However, online communities exist revolving around all kinds of niche interests.
Online connection will be a vital way to bridge the loneliness gap during COVID-19 isolation. No matter how random your interests are, you can find someone to share them with online.
Take the work out of community-building:
You might worry it’ll take time to re-build an online support system of folks who ‘get it.’ But one already exists, tailored by tech that connects you to other people who think like you. You can find a safe group to talk about your worries, concerns, and struggles online — in less than 2 minutes.
It feels reassuring and connecting to know others are thinking in similar ways.
3. Watch something engaging
Sometimes we feel lonely because we feel that we SHOULD be doing something or going out with friends. The silence of being by ourselves can be deafening. Try watching a show or a Ted Talk that speaks to what you’re thinking about lately.
Listening to others who are passionate about your interests can help you feel engaged and eliminate the feeling of solitude.
4. Embrace your embarrassing side
The horror of being all alone can make us forget the benefits to having some space to ourselves. There are so many things you may not be able to do when others are around.
Sing, dance, or do some other embarrassing things that you can’t do while other people are watching! You may find some relief in the ability to be completely relaxed as yourself.
5. Clean your room
Constantly going out for social gatherings can lead to chaos at home. There are jackets piled in the corner, no more clean clothes to wear, and your pillowcase definitely needs to be washed.
Use being alone to your advantage — tidy up your personal space and feel good about investing in self improvement. Making order out of chaos can also be really comforting, in itself.
6. Make a playlist
Sometimes listening to just the right type of music can ease a lot of pain we feel. Songs can speak to us just like friends.
Get in touch with your emotions by playing some songs that fit your mood. Make sure to note which especially fit your lonely vibe; then put those into a personal Loneliness Soundtrack for next time you get extra lonely.
7. Reach out to someone else who’s lonely
It’s easy to feel alone in feeling lonely. You probably know that from experience. So try reaching out to others who may also feel isolated.
Maybe a distant aunt, or your grandma for once! You’ll brighten their day, and feel less lonely, yourself.
By reaching out to another lonely person, you can both give and get support. If you can’t think of an old friend to call, try joining an online chat full of peers, right now, here.
You’re never more than 2 minutes from feeling understood and connected.