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

If you're lonely, you can always talk to someone you trust about this issue. I understand how it feels to be lonely but at the same time, trying to isolate yourself. I did have this issue as well. But I talked it out to a friend I trusted, and then I feel much more better. When you feel that no one cares, you have to remember this, people DO care. There will always be people who love you, sincerely. Approach people when you need someone to talk to, because it's nothing to be ashamed of! Good luck, remember to smile today! ;)

]It really varies from person to person and thus better to discuss with someone who knows you a little better. That being said here are some suggestions that have helped many people. Firstly, many times just talking about it with someone can help. Here at 7 Cups of tea there are many active listeners to whom you can chat and share your feelings with them. Sometimes it's all you need. Another suggestion is to think about and ask yourself the following questions: 1. Why do I feel like isolating yourself? 2. What will I gain from isolating myself? 3. What can I do to change the way I feel? Sometimes discussing such thoughts with a friend or an active listener can help you even better. Another suggestion is find a social-cirlce with good friends. Many times being part of a healthy social circle or simply having good friends that you feel comfortable with can help quite a bit. But it can be hard to become comfortable with your social-circle or friends, especially when you don't have yet a good enough connection with them. Another suggestion, which is very recommended and has helped many people overcome loneliness, is to look for ways to help and be kind to others. This will help you in multiple ways. Firstly, when you think of helping or being kind to others you don't think so much about yourself and it is thus easier to overcome feelings of isolating yourself. Of course now you are also feeling much less lonely because you are with other people. Alas, by helping others and doing acts of kindness you are making the world a better place and perhaps you have also helped others feel less lonely along the way. In conclusion though, as mentioned at the beginning, it is best to discuss this subject with someone who knows you on a personal level and has enough experience to give you the right advice and guidance.

I’m currently going through something similar. At first I didn’t really have a way to cope or so I thought, and then I started writing it out. Why I feel lonely and all of the frustrations just came pouring out and helped me realize that I am lonely but that is what the unavoidable circumstances that I’m living under brings and came to peace with it. It sounds easy to say ; like deal with it. But with the busy lifestyle I’m leading, classes, therapy, living alone, exam pressure. I’m glad I came to peace with it because if I were to go through this again I would know how to get through it. Then I wouldn’t struggle as much.

Find your closest friend, or someone you feel you can trust with anything. You don't even need to talk with them. Being in the presence of another human being can definitely bring something out of you. Maybe a gut feeling, maybe a little voice in your head. Maybe pressure to start conversation with another. If you don't feel up to it, take a break. Hide yourself in your personal secret land for a while. Set goals. Like, today I shall interact with my neighbour! One tiny step, baby steps really. As long as you move forward, you can do it in your own way. Worm, wiggle, crawl, walk, soar. Any progress is better than none. But do ask yourself, why am I feeling lonely? Lack of friends? Low self esteem? Had a day that put you down in the dumps? It's gonna be tough, but with the human spirit, I'm sure you'll get somewhere. Or maybe you're not built for it. Introverts exist. Why though? A little feeling that spreads like wildfire, or creeping up your spine, telling you not to make that step? It's okay, it's a natural thing, everyone feels it, maybe on a passing occasion. Pour out your emotions maybe. Write a short story, paint, draw, listen to your favourite music. Maybe stay in that bundle of your paradise a little longer. Do remember to come out though. Loneliness and human being don't really go well together. It gnaws away at your heart and instills doubt. Don't let it get to you.

As I see it, the real need is to get closer to Yourself, to the Person, to Inner, to your Being. And that's the best choice you can do, when you are confused, or when you don't know anymore what to do, or when you feel empty, or when you feel out of love, or when you feel alienated, or when you achieved goals and you don't remember no worthy goal, or when you feel depressed (lack of worthy goals), or when you find your self angry or sad. So, as you can see, lots of moments when it's best to go deep inside, to "hear" new goals, new purposes, new interesting goals, new wants. That's actually the only practical way, to fill up again with "love" as i call it. Trying external surrogates (like everyone tries) (food, sex, drugs, etc) will only worsen the situation and will create only more emptiness. So, dive in trust, dive in that silence, that "nothing". Space is way harder than objects, hence way more "real". Don't listen to the fear of loneliness, or whatever other fears. They are just tricks to keep you away from Inner, from Your true natural purposes.

This is a very common feeling when you're depressed, you begin to isolate yourself from friends and even family. If you find that you're feeling lonely as well it can be very confusing, I would suggest taking small steps to start connecting with others again. You could start by chatting online, to one of the listeners here at 7cups so that you're reaching out without having to be physically near anyone. Once you start to open up and feel better you could have short periods of time with others, for example sharing a cup of tea with a friend but having a time limit on it so that it doesn't feel overwhelming. Then build from there until you are at a place that's comfortable for you

This is most likely a sign of social anxiety. Social Anxiety can influence your interactions with people, as well as the way you feel about talking and spending time with others. As humans, we naturally want to be around other people. We are social creatures. But social anxiety may cause a fear reaction with the thought of being around others, hence the want for isolation. The best thing you can do is seek professional support from a mental health provider, as they can provide therapy and medicine for this type of problem. This is best to be handled soon, as it can be detrimental in the long term.

It’s okay to want to be alone, but also want some level of social interaction. My energy levels for socialising get drained very quickly and I’m used to being on my own. But I have found that I can isolate myself too much. I’ve found that when I do this, small goals can help like aiming to talk to someone every day or contacting a friend at least once a week. I found that if I’m out of the habit of socialising I do it less and less. I find that having commitments also helps - if I need to meet up with someone at a particular time I’ll be there, so volunteering as helps in getting me out and about.

As an introvert, having down time is important. But when you are isolating yourself too much, you are getting yourself an unhealthy habit. Sticking with an unhealthy habit for too long and you get yourself an unhealthy lifestyle. When you feel lonely, going out to meet strangers is a great way to break the habit. As a side not: volunteering can be life-saving for little hermit crabs.I am talking from my own experience. I was a little hermit crab, who loved staying home and eating snacks too much. Up till university, I had the tendency to isolate myself. My family shamed me for not being social at all and not putting efforts into network. I got scared of other people and I had problem talking with people outside of my family. Even after university, I found it difficult to seek job opportunities and deal with interviews. Then I started to volunteer for different non-profit organizations. Along the way I have learnt to cope with interacting with strangers. I got less and less nervous when I am doing public speaking. I am glad that I took the first step even though I know I have a long way to go to become what I want to be. It is normal to be afraid when you are not in your comfort zone. There is a quote, saying "Everything you’ve ever wanted is sitting on the other side of fear." I can't agree more. I encourage you to make some change everyday. One step at a time. One day when you look back, you will find out and be proud of how much you have achieved through small steps.

Try to be nice to yourself. Do little things that make you feel better. You have to take care of yourself before you can be the best for others and be there for them, you are the most important person in your life so take self care very seriously. I know it is hard to pull yourself out of the funk some times but you will come back to wanting to be around people again and feel like you want to be social again soon. It is an ebb and flow, everyone has low time and it makes the high times feel so much better!