How do you deal with feelings of loneliness?

Participation in Senior Forums is one outlet, and a kind of connection. I hope you may find it helpful.

I've never heard it said before that everyone else has loneliness figured out.Those feelings come and go for most of us. If no one is around I can talk to or call when I feel lonesome, I get busy and think of something else.
 
This forum has helped me so much, so you are off to a good start.
To know these are real people, sharing thoughts, ideas, a bit of themselves and experiences helps to feel human connection.
Will it take the place of a human in your presence, sharing a lunch or a shopping spree? Not really but it's something to occupy
your mind with. You will find you are not alone in many things you are feeling. And we will find you are unique in ways you may not realize.
Relax, be yourself and just enjoy that you are wanted here.
 
I don't get lonely. I read a lot, and when I get tired of that, I do something else. Well, I do get lonely for my dog, who died last December 3, of old age. He had been my best friend for his entire life.

Now that I have a car, I am thinking about checking out the Senior Center, which is not in my comfort zone because I don't know anyone there. It is a very nice place - I went there with my mother once, about 7 years ago. I am uncomfortable about meeting new people in a place where I don't know anyone. Always have been. Once I know people, I am the life of the party.

I like volunteering. I love dogs so maybe at the animal shelter. The problem is that if a dog and I connect, I would be very upset that I can't bring it home. Same if all the dogs and I connect. Or maybe at a food bank, I've done that before, back when I had to go to one. Maybe at a hospital if I can make myself do it. I don't like hospitals.

So, there you have it. Go to a senior center, go to a church, volunteer somewhere you'd enjoy, or get a dog. Me? I'm too direct of a person to be going to a church. I'd have to find a rational one -- as opposed to ones that have some beliefs I am extremely opposed to.

Or, hey! Meet your neighbors. Bring them something like baked goods, introduce yourself. If you live in the South, you'll probably get invited in. If you feel weird vibes, make an excuse to get out of that. Most people are friendly and pretty nice. Very few serial killers compared to the size of the rest of the population.
 
I've lived alone for most of my 79 years on this planet. These days most of my time is spent alone. I don't have it figured out, and the intensity of my loneliness varies. Lately I am very lonely since my daughter is mad at me and hasn't texted in a week (she usually does almost daily.) So, no advice or conclusions, just what everyone else has said. This forum helps some. Nothing resolved, that's for sure.
 
I'm a very lonely person. I also push people away. Stupid. Bad when loneliness leads to depression. If it does, intervention is next step.
My DIL wanted to visit me yesterday. I fought against it, holding on to loneliness. She wouldn't let me. She came anyway, forcing me to eat Dunkin' munchkins and drink their coffee. Yum. Then she nagged & nagged me to go for a walk in the sunshine. She finally got her way.

How dare she interfere with my loneliness. Some nerve.
 
Pepper said:
I'm a very lonely person. I also push people away. Stupid. Bad when loneliness leads to depression. If it does, intervention is next step.
My DIL wanted to visit me yesterday. I fought against it, holding on to loneliness. She wouldn't let me. She came anyway, forcing me to eat Dunkin' munchkins and drink their coffee. Yum. Then she nagged & nagged me to go for a walk in the sunshine. She finally got her way.

How dare she interfere with my loneliness. Some nerve.
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Ask her to come back and take you to Coney Island before almost everything shuts down after Labor Day.
Go to Nathan's, have a hot dog, and think of me!!
 
Hand on heart, I have never felt loneliness, my life has been a very busy one and never enough hours in the day to do all the things I planned.
What would be nice though, is to have one of those Hawaiian girls visit now and again, with a big palm leaf to fan me while she dropped grapes in my mouth. šŸ˜Š
 
i wouldn't say i am lonely, but i do get bored.

i can type well so i transcribe historical documents for the Library of Congress. At least I feel like I am contributing to society.

Whenever i go out, I smile and say hello to everyone. Maybe it looks like I am trying too hard, maybe I am just happy to be alive. An acknowledgement of someone's presence goes a long way.

when my father passed, many people expressed condolences in the form of "nice gentleman". I am carrying on his legacy.
 
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Theres lots of folks here who are alone and will be glad to chat with you.
Some of us are lonely. Some of us are not. I think introverts like me fare better than the extroverts.

I dont have anything figured out. Its just me here. I dont get lonely but I do get bored sometimes.
Right now Im bored. Its 86 degrees here. I cant handle the heat so Im trapped inside.
Been checking out what supplies I will need for my next outdoor projects for when it FINALLY cools off.
And looking at cat videos. And sharing. :D
.
 
Pepper said:
I'm a very lonely person. I also push people away. Stupid. Bad when loneliness leads to depression. If it does, intervention is next step.
My DIL wanted to visit me yesterday. I fought against it, holding on to loneliness. She wouldn't let me. She came anyway, forcing me to eat Dunkin' munchkins and drink their coffee. Yum. Then she nagged & nagged me to go for a walk in the sunshine. She finally got her way.

How dare she interfere with my loneliness. Some nerve.
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I actually understand this.
 
I get lonely, but life goes on. I try not to get too analytical about my loneliness, while I am on this earth for a few years.
 
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It doesn't happen often, but if I feel lonely - I get busy. Clean my house, the yard, go to the store, etc. I go until I'm tired, and no longer feeling lonely.

Also agree and recommend going to a Senior Center, maybe take an art class (or something you like) at the local school, spend time posting here and meeting people (so to speak).... I think activity helps a lot.

Hope it gets better for you! šŸŒ·
 
saucyspam said:
I've been feeling lonely, and it's hard knowing that everyone else has it figured out
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See that's for some people like you who are used to social interaction with various people. I realize how hard that can be not having someone, but I would suggest looking at senior citizen centers where you can sit there and chat with others of your age.

I will admit the reason I don't have any problem with loneliness, is because of previous abuse, verbal & physical and bullying. I seem to like myself best when I'm alone.
 
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