How to Fight Loneliness: An 8-Step Guide

Reading Time: 5 minutes

An 8-Step Plan for Defeating Loneliness

How do you fight loneliness?

In the world today where technology is more advanced than it ever was, connecting with people from all over the world has become an easy feat, but why does it seem that more and more people have become disconnected? Technology is not the enemy, but it has created an addictive virtual escape and at the same time an excuse for many to skip nurturing their relationships in the real world, leading to inevitable loneliness. How do you fight loneliness?

It is one of the most common human emotions. It is even possible to feel lonely while surrounded by a large group of people. Loneliness and solitude are two different things. Solitude could even be healthy for you. 

Loneliness is not necessarily the absence of people in your life. It can be due to a lack of meaningful relationships.

Although loneliness is not entirely within our control, there is a lot that each of us can do to tilt the odds in our favour. You do not have to stay lonely if you are willing to put in the effort. In this article, we will share with you 8 tips on how to fight loneliness.

Re-energise your social life and your relationships with these strategies:

1) Understand when you feel lonely.

understand when you feel lonely

You cannot effectively fight loneliness if you do not pinpoint why it is that you feel that way. Is it after work? On the weekends? During holidays? What is the nature of your loneliness? Are you lonely whenever you want someone to sit on the couch and watch Netflix with you? Are you lonely when you want someone you can go out shopping and share lunch with? Are you lonely whenever you are alone with your thoughts? 

2) Find places where you can connect with others.

connect with others | how to fight loneliness

There are people all around you. You probably have neighbours, colleagues, former friends, current friends, and even family members that live nearby.

The internet is also a spectacular resource if you’re looking to connect with others. Consider groups, forums, clubs, and find meetup opportunities. 

Tip: Always stay cautious when seeing people you just met online. It’s always good to meet up in public spaces.

3) Find the right pet for you. A pet can be a great companion.

find the right pet | how to fight loneliness

A pet might seem like poor companionship compared to a person, but many people prefer their pets to other people! Pets require less attention than a child, and the right pet will always be glad to see you.

It does not matter how much life is beating you down, your pet will always love you just the same.

4) Look for hobbies you can do with others. 

look for hobbies you can do with others | how to fight loneliness

Think about all the things you like to do and identify those that can be done with others. Ask the people you know to join you. Join a club or league that is relevant to your interests.

You can join group cooking classes or even participate in regular exercise groups (many of which are open for anyone to join). 

5) Enhance your current relationships.

enhance your current relationships | how to fight loneliness

Maybe you don’t need to connect with new people. Perhaps all you need to do is strengthen the current relationships in your life.

  • Take a greater interest in the lives of others and be willing to share more of your own life. You might just need to spend more time with the current crop of friends you already have.
  • You will also find that strengthening your current friendships will bring you into contact with more people. You might find that you like the friends of your friends more than you like your friends! (Don’t worry we won’t tell your old friends.)

♥ Passion Maps offers relationship programs for partners in an intimate relationship and even family members. We can also help you organise a bombora retreat or customised program for your group of colleagues or friends.

6) Cherish your alone time. 

alone time | how to fight loneliness

Think of all the great things you can do by yourself without interruption. Again, solitude is not necessarily bad. Having time for yourself is healthy and can even make you more successful!

    • You could learn a foreign language, to play an instrument, or develop a new skill.
    • You could read (or even write) a book.
    • You can watch whatever you want on TV without having to worry about another person’s viewing preferences.
    • You can eat in peace.
    • You can take the time to get to know yourself better
    • You can finally do the things on your to-do list that you have been procrastinating on.
    • You can explore your more artistic side.

7) Explore the world. Get out of the house.

travel and explore the world | how to fight loneliness

Avoid the temptation to use digital relationships as a substitute for contact with someone in-person. The odds are stacked against someone just showing up at your front door randomly.

Nothing will happen until you take control of your social life and get out the front door. There is a whole world out there. 

8) Join or build a group around a cause you care for.

advocacy | how to fight loneliness

Doing something purposeful can make a big difference in your life. Once you figure out a cause you are passionate about, go out and invite people to join you. You will be surprised to find that many people share your advocacy.

“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honourable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” 

— Ralph Waldo Emerson

You may also be interested in: 5-Step Guide to Higher Purpose

Feeling lonely is normal.

how to defeat loneliness; how to fight loneliness

A little loneliness now and then is par for the course. But, if you are lonely on a regular basis, do what you can to enhance your social life and current relationships.

There are many lonely people in the world just waiting for someone like you to reach out to them. Be the one to take the initiative. You will be glad you did. 

Life waits for no one, buddy. Just get up and go!

Know someone who is lonely?

Share this article with them.

If you have more tips on fighting loneliness, leave your tips in the comment box below.

Previous Post
9 Common Mistakes That Ruin Relationships
Next Post
Hatching Passion Across the Globe

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Fill out this field
Fill out this field
Please enter a valid email address.
You need to agree with the terms to proceed