hiremaga

I haven't overcome loneliness but I have come to better terms with this feeling than I had in the past.

I now understand that it's a state that arises from time to time. And then passes. And arises again. It's also a feeling that can show up in solitude or a crowd.

Many of the ideas suggested here have helped me but one more than the rest is the company of a person who listens sympathetically. This has helped me understand what loneliness, in its myriad flavors, might mean underneath. As an adult this person has been a trained therapist. As a child it was a loving grandparent. Some weeks it's also my meditation partner from a retreat a few years ago.

I've come to appreciate that loneliness really is universal. We are far from alone in feeling alone. And this time of the year can be particularly hard on many of us; faced with unending pictures of seemingly perfect family unions.

Reaching out to someone, just like you did today, is a great place to start. I hope you feel at least a little less alone now. And I'm confident there are many, including me, who've benefited from your choice to ask your question today. Thank you for connecting us in this way.

You're welcome to drop by most Tuesdays for lunch or breakfast at 8:30 any day of the week, we're at 155 Clarence. Drop me a line at abhih at pivotal.io if you'd like that :)