9 Things To Do To Keep Busy When You Start To Feel Lonely
Niharika has a passion for all things art, music, and travel and has over 4 years of experience in writing for social media. During her spare time, she likes experimenting in the kitchen, playing vide... read full bio
Loneliness is going all around, and it’s starting to have a pretty significant impact on everyone. Maybe you haven’t seen your loved ones and friends in person in a long time. You are also probably going through feelings of nostalgia of a time before the pandemic and wishing you could go back to those days. You might miss those everyday, fleeting social interactions or even the ability to sit in public and speak to nobody. Prolonged loneliness can often drain you emotionally and make your life seem pointless and bleak. If you’ve been wondering what to do when you start to feel lonely, we have nine solutions for you:
1. Reframe The Narrative
You feel lonely when you become isolated, and your needs for human connection and social interaction go unmet. Every person has different needs when it comes to interactions, and so this doesn’t happen at the same point for others. Many people, in fact, need close relationships to survive. That being said, a certain amount of solitude and quality time alone is much required as well. It creates opportunities for you to indulge in creative thoughts, self-reflection, and self-discovery.
2. Keep Your House Filled With Sound
If you start to feel a vast empty space of loneliness start to press in from all different sides, sound can make you feel better. Sounds can help fill space in your thoughts and your environment and make it feel less overwhelming. Music can motivate you and boost your mood, while talk shows and podcasts can entertain and inform you. Audiobooks can provide distraction and even a temporary escape for you. A favorite movie or TV show can break the silence in a comforting way, and you don’t need to watch them all the way through. You can even open a window to listen to passersby and birds, which helps you feel more connected.
3. Make The Most Of Your Interactions
Spending time around others around you won’t permanently relieve that feeling of loneliness as the quality of interaction matters more than the number. This is why you might find yourself feeling lonely even when you are in a large group filled with casual acquaintances. How you spend your time with others can make quite the difference too. In some cases, you might just need some company and would be fine watching a film or even sharing a workspace while you’re working.
4. Get Outdoors
Changing your environment can help dull the ache of loneliness and distract you from your regular life. Maybe you can’t just enjoy brunch with friends, work in your favorite cafe or join a trivia night just yet. However, just going for a walk or shopping for groceries, or getting out of your home can put you in other people’s path and help you feel like you are not alone. Spending time in nature can help ease emotional distress and even boost your overall wellness.
5. Draw Out Your Creative Side
Following creative pursuits like music, art, and even writing can help plenty of people cope with the effects of isolation and help them navigate feelings of loneliness. The artistic endeavors that you pursue can help express your emotions without even speaking one word. Solitude can leave you feeling creative and looking for a sense of satisfaction from another outlet.
6. Consider Adopting A Pet
Not every person has the ability or the means to care for animals, but for those who do, this is a great idea! Of course, we have to remind you that adopting a pet is a significant responsibility and only do so if you are willing to commit at least the next fifteen years of your life to your pet. A pet might not always be able to talk, but they can provide you with companionship and provide comfort to you when you need it the most.
7. Take A Break From Your Social Media Account
Social media can seem like the best way to maintain your close connections, but it can also increase your feelings of loneliness. A loved one’s carefree and happy post might give you the impression that they don’t miss you as much as you probably miss them. When you are alone, seeing others around you spending time with their family members and romantic partners can also sting. Yes, of course, social media does not show you the entire picture, so you can’t really know what your loved one might be feeling unless you ask them.
8. Remind Yourself That It Isn’t Permanent
We understand that loneliness can be overwhelming, but you need to also acknowledge that it won’t last forever. This can help bring you some relief in the long run. If you are feeling lonely and in a rut during the pandemic, you must understand that once the pandemic is over, things will get better. You will start to go to work again and forge plenty of new connections. You can also use this time to try and strengthen ties you’ve made in the past.
9. Do Something That You Love
When you start to feel lonely, it can occupy all of your thoughts and lead you to the point where it’s difficult for you to think about doing anything else. Many favorite hobbies can fill the time until you are able to see your loved ones once again. Thus, doing things you like — from playing video games to baking and yoga — can help create normalcy. It can ground you and help you find some inner peace in the middle of turbulent times. Of course, you shouldn’t forget relaxing activities and hobbies that also serve as self-care.
In the end, more than anything, it is crucial to understand that every single person you know has probably struggled with their own bouts of loneliness. Even someone who you think has their life together might be struggling with their thoughts. Do let us know what you think of this article in the comment section below!
