Have you ever wondered why “sharing stuff with friends & family” is so glorified?
Before we explore its perceived importance, let’s ponder this: Could feelings of loneliness, perhaps, stem from holding back our thoughts or from comparing ourselves to idealized versions on social media and within social setups?
The fact is that a significant majority—about 90%—of people lack deep self-awareness. Instead, many adhere to societal norms without genuine introspection, a behaviour learned from an early age.
Consequently, this raises the question: Could there be more to loneliness than meets the eye? Let’s explore this further.
Inherent Capability and Emotional Resilience
The human species possesses the inherent capability to manage our emotions independently. However, this vital skill is hardly taught effectively—whether at home, in school, or anywhere else.
As a result, we end up with a gap in our emotional resilience, which ultimately leads to loneliness and rising cases of anxiety and depression.
This happens because we are constantly looking for people to share with and spend time with to overcome our loneliness. However, in today’s digital age, everyone is busy with their own lives.
Early Conditioning and Social Interaction
From an early age, we’re told to talk and share with others instead of focusing on self-reflection and writing things down on a daily basis.
As a result, this wires our brains to think that without constant chatter and sharing, we can’t tackle loneliness.
Moreover, with the pressures of modern life, we’re short on time and have fewer interactions, which further reinforces this belief, leading us to think that we cannot maintain mental well-being without regular meeting ,sharing and engagement with friends, family and peers.
Root Causes of Loneliness
I’m not here advocating that we should cut ourselves off from socializing altogether—connecting with others is an important part of being a social animal.
However, we need to recognize that feelings of loneliness often stem from deeper issues, such as lacking purpose, feeling unfulfilled in our daily routines or lifestyle, and not having clear goals or passions to pursue.
These factors contribute to the sense of monotony and joylessness that many experience in their daily lives, especially after their thirties, when responsibilities mainly revolve around family obligations.
Furthermore, this phenomenon is increasingly affecting youngsters as well due to various reasons like social media, instant gratification and comparison, pressure to succeed, changing family dynamics, lack of authentic connections, uncertainty and future anxiety, and cultural norms and expectations.
Addressing these issues, therefore, requires a holistic approach.
Strategies for Combatting Loneliness
To combat loneliness effectively, it’s imperative to address its roots. This begins with introspective practices such as journaling, exploring insightful books, setting clear goals, pursuing passions, and most important fostering positive and empowering self-talks.
Disempowering thoughts and beliefs:
- I feel isolated because I don’t have friends to confide in.
- My thoughts and feelings don’t matter since there’s no one to listen.
- I can’t find solutions to my problems because I have no one to bounce ideas off.
- I’m missing out on meaningful connections and experiences because I don’t have close friends.
- Without friends, life feels empty and lacking in purpose.
- I struggle to express myself because I don’t have a supportive social circle.
- I feel disconnected from others and unable to relate to people around me.
- I’m destined to be lonely because I haven’t found anyone who understands me.
- I’m not worthy of friendships or meaningful relationships.
- My happiness depends on having someone to share my life with.
Positive and empowering self-talks:
- I find true fulfilment by nurturing my inner peace and self-awareness.
- I trust in my own abilities to create joy and fulfilment in my life.
- I am complete and whole within myself, regardless of external circumstance.
- I embrace my independence and cherish the connections I do have.
- I am surrounded by love and support, even if I don’t always see it.
These type of self-talks or affirmations can help shift the focus away from disempowering beliefs about loneliness and encourage a positive mindset towards self-worth, resilience, and attracting fulfilling relationships. (Technique 2))
By gaining clarity on our authentic selves and identifying our fundamental needs & Personality type, we pave the way not only to navigate loneliness but also to forge deeper, more meaningful connections.
Conclusion: Holistic Approach to Well-being
In essence, while social interaction has its merits, true fulfilment lies in the balance between external connections and internal self-reliance.
By nurturing both, we embark on a journey towards holistic personal growth and emotional well-being.
Therefore, I encourage you to begin by identifying the true sources of loneliness—the root causes—and understanding your authentic self and core needs.
Ultimately, this self-awareness is essential for effectively addressing and navigating through feelings of loneliness.
