How do I stop feeling so isolated?

Remember that feeling separate from others is the direct result of focusing on how others are different from us. If this sort of thinking continues, eventually, we will find ourselves standing alone against the entire world. You have to become curious about others so you will never be at a loss for words or feel unable to connect with them again. Silence only has to be awkward if you let it so you have to be brave and put a bit of yourself out there. That’s really at the root of building a connection with someone else—getting to know them as more than just a collection of surface level facts. Once you start to learn more about their feelings and opinions on things, you can start to develop a real bond and not feel isolated anymore.

Isolation is often caused by our own fear of being alone. A desire to be seeked by someone we feel important to us is what causes us to lay in wait and hope for the attention. Do not forget that the other person might just aswell be feeling the same way. Try to connect with them. Try.

When I was at my loneliest I learned to take every opportunity I was given. The friendliest people I knew became the people I surrounded myself with. I learned through them how to be myself and the more I became integrated with them was less lonely and troubled I became. It took me a while to learn that the only way to work my way out of isolation was to fight it head on and force myself to socialize. It may sound uncomfortable but it gets much easier!

Refer the 7 cups guides on Lonliness, Anxiety and Managing Emotions to learn some of the nice strategies of dealing with feelings of isolation.

The first step is taking away the barriers that stop you from feeling like you can reach out. For me, hygiene is one of the hardest things when I'm in a spiral, and when I feel gross I become way too afraid to talk to people. So first step for me is to shower. Then I need to reach out in some way. Generally the lower I am, the harder it is in person, and that is perfectly ok. So I go online. Either I talk on here or I find someone on facebook. I ask if it's ok for me to come around and talk. Or I invite some people to a group chat and ask if anyone wants to go out for coffee and shopping the next day. Whatever I feel like I'm up to at my present state. Planning this stuff in advance I find helps me a lot because I find social contact very draining even though I know it's necessary for health. So I will specifically plan both the time to reach out AND the event itself. Vague future plans are easy to make, but you have to force yourself to be concrete. I will do THIS at THIS time on THIS day. You are mighty, you can do this.

Try to get involved in a community that will boost your self esteem and surround yourself with people you know won't judge you and who you are.

Put yourself out there, fight the belittling or self-criticising voice in your head and reach out!

I have often felt isolated. Sometimes I feel lonely but don't want to interact with anyone. I find it helps to go to a coffee shop or other public place, and try to engage at least one person, even if it's just with a smile. Recently, I joined a gym and just being around other people has helped me feel less isolated.

Why not try to make a little more effort to see people; family, friends, anyone really. The more you see these people the better you will feel

One of the very best way to feel less isolated is to volunteer. When you give to others you also give to your soul.