I feel like isolating myself, but deep inside I am very lonely. What do I do?

This is a totally normal and human thought! Sometimes it is nice to take time for yourself and can actually be apart of self care. If you feel that is not the reason why you are isolating and do not want to be around people, start slow. Spend time with people that you love and try to do activities you like as well. If big group settings overwhelm you spend some time with family or with a friend. It can also help to exercise and get some time outside to clear your head. You know yourself the best so start doing the things that make you happiest as well.

For me, when I felt like this, the thing that helped was pushing myself outside. I was in college so it was easier to find spaces where I could sit on a bench outside, doing my own thing, while also not feeling as lonely as when I had shut myself in my room. Getting the fresh air, seeing and listening to people, really helped me refocus myself and my energy. I felt less lonely while being alone, and that feeling of being alone became one of reflection rather than judgment. I wish I had been able to do that more often, talking myself out of wanting to isolate. It helped immensely.

Feeling like isolating yourself often seems like the natural reaction when we feel lonely, but it can often send us into a spiral. If i'm feeling too drained to have full interaction with other people, i often talk to online friends. You could try and find an online community/sub-community of nice people with similar interests. Chances are, you'll make at least 1 new friend and learn something new! If that's not really your jam, maybe try and reconnecting with old friends. Sometimes my best friend and I want company but feel to drained to actually interact, so we often facetime without talking or hang out at each others houses without talking, just simply because the other person's presence is comforting. Good luck!

A few years back, I had a similar feeling. I'll just share what I did to help myself. 1.) I distanced myself form social media, no more uploads and very few feed check (once a few days or week) 2.) Spend a lot of time with nature, like going to garden or sitting beside river, or as simple as sitting in open gazing at the sky (especially at night, it's beautiful) 3.) Be in touch with person who really matters and cares for you, meet them in person. 4.) Talk to yourself, this sounds silly but helps a lot. Understand what's going on with you, if it helps write about it in a diary. At first it might come as difficult, but eventually you'll become bestfriend with yourself and you'll start enjoying being with yourself. 5.) Meditation helps, being self aware helps, focusing on your breaths helps. 6.) Lastly, if you can spend time with animals, that would be great. I used to feed stray dogs and spend time with them, I started with 1 and by the end of month I was feeding and sitting with some 20-30 dogs. The amount of love they shower in you, it's amazing. They will heal you. All the best buddy, I know you can make it, Have great day, Stay awesome and keep smiling It's free and it looks good on you :)

I can't say have a specific answer that will tell you why or what you may do for resolution. I know personally that I don't know of almost anyone who I know who doesn't become lonely at occassional times. As someone who has gotten an introverted title from personality tests I think it's common personally to want to surround myself with people occassionally even if alone time is something that is ideal for me to settle down for the day. I think one thing I've thought over the years is to consider why I want to be alone or spend time around people. Do I hope to spend time helping others or perhaps spend time with them? Is it solely at work for me or also when I'm off work? What does this mean for my friend and what can I offer them in return for their time? Do I feel a void to serve others in my community? Perhaps do I want to give company? Do I feel like self isolating to avoid something? Do I need to change friends circles and am I looking for community or friendship?Some people I know have joined groups, played sports, or even volunteered. Some people at my church seem to gain a lot of connection with each other too. I think isolating does sometimes concern me in my own life if I dont know why or if its used for avoiding an issue but I never felt that I have gone to long without trying to occassionally speak with others. I know this may not fully answer your question in a specific manner but I hope it can offer thoughts on the experience.

A lot of the time we isolate ourselves as a form of self-protection. It's ok to do that, especially in situations where it is an effective strategy for protection. The fact that you feel lonely highlights a need for connection while also indicating a deep fear of being harmed by other people, whether emotionally, physically or otherwise. So if your immediate environment is not helping you feel safe it helps to remember that there are people you can find outside of it who can make you feel seen and secure. That could be counselors and teacher if you are in school or university, workplace therapists and advisors if you are working, online communities, people in your extended circle who feel trustworthy etc. Take it slow, but remember, there are people around you who care.

You should try and surround yourself with people who care about you and who will talk you through it.

Try to practice an activity you like. It will help you meet new people with common interests. It's easier to bond with people you can talk open hearted with.

I think it's better for you to choose either one. If you don't like the loneliness, then it would be better not to isolate yourself. Try open up yourself to others and new things offered to you. That might help :)

When in doubt seeking for help is a great idea! sometimes there are situations which at main view seem simple or like they are meant to be solved easily, but when we feel stuck, therapy or a helping hand is always good, remember that here in 7 Cups we are here to help and you can always have access to therapists