Learn to nip loneliness in the bud and be happier than ever
In the face of loneliness there is no picnic. You can have everything in the world, but if you’re alone, none of it seems very significant. I know a couple who wanted to buy a campground on the ocean. When they finally got it, they were divorced and living apart. The beachfront property became a symbol of the couple’s lost love. . .
it sat empty for years.
We often feel ashamed of being alone and blame ourselves for any relationship we’ve ever had that went wrong. Then we get even more depressed. Chronic loneliness and social unhappiness take their toll on people. But there are ways to beat loneliness syndrome. take it from me . . I’ve been helping people do it for over 30 years.
If you need help coping with loneliness, this article will give you some proven tips, advice, and techniques that you can use to improve the quality of your life right now.
Advice:
Here are some easy, straightforward ideas on how you can curb loneliness and start feeling more involved in life.
1. Think positive thoughts.
Think logical, uplifting, possibility thoughts, even when you’re lonely, missing someone, or grieving the loss of a great relationship.What are the possible thoughts? Thoughts that focus on our possibilities, perhaps hidden, versus thoughts that are based on the limitations of our situation.
Instead of thinking:
“I will never meet anyone!”
“My family hates me!”
“No one cares about me… no one has time for me,”
and similar self-destructive thoughts. . .
Try to think of things that will make you feel more positive and optimistic. When faced with an obstacle, why not think, “If I look hard enough, I’ll find the silver lining of this cloud!”
If you’re off work today and don’t have anyone to spend time with, you can always say to yourself, “Okay. This is the perfect opportunity for me to turn the page… I think I’ll make something interesting happen!”
The art of happiness is often equated with the quality of the thoughts we have.
2. Get to work (doing something constructive and hopefully fun)
Does your garage or kitchen need painting? Do you need to rearrange the furniture? Is it time to drive along the lake and visit antique shops or stop at the outdoor fruit and vegetable stands? And when you find time to have fun. . . your relationships will also benefit.
Last weekend they had the annual meeting run over competition in the mountains of rural West Virginia. The leaves were turning beautiful and there was a wonderful chill in the air. Many people came to taste the chefs’ gourmet creations.
Everyone had such a delicious time!
Managing loneliness is so much easier whenfind a local festival of some kind and see how much fun you can have. Go to an October or apple festival, wine tasting, or maple syrup-making celebration. Read the local events section of your newspaper and find out what’s on offer this weekend. Loneliness doesn’t have to stop you from having a good time.
In fact, you can have a good time despite being alone, if you take a positive approach and go and engage in activities that help you forget about your hurt or sadness. Also, by having a good time, you will feel less alone and depressed.
Random ideas to face loneliness
Here are several ways you can combat loneliness:
a) Go to college and look to take some classes.
b) Go to a spa and be pampered.
c) Volunteer at the local animal shelter.
The art of happiness involves a willingness to try new things, take chances from time to time, and be more outgoing, even if you tend to be an introvert.
Old clothes can be thrown away and new ones learned. Every problem has a solution waiting for you in your hands, And if loneliness is your problem, start looking for innovative approaches to the problem. You see, as a result of your loneliness, you might become more outgoing and enterprising. You could do new things in your effort to combat your feelings of loneliness.
Here it is a helpful tip: Do what you love.
If you love flying kites with the kids, but haven’t had a kite in your hands in years, maybe it’s time to buy a new kite and string and head to the nearest park. One of my clients said that he loved to play with model trains. So I encouraged him to dig up the train buried in a box in the basement and put it back together.
Next, we decided that he would join the local train club, which allowed him to meet a lot of new people. He then set up a train shop for the boy scouts. . .
which led him to become a boy scout leader. Another door opened. . . and led him to discover partnerships and opportunities both professional and personal.
If you haven’t made time to do the simple things you love, then it’s time to make time!Spend more time doing what you love and you’ll feel better! No apologies, please.
Happiness comes from many things, but in general, the happiest people are those who follow their hearts, stay connected with others, stay busy with worthwhile activities and jobs, and think optimistically and positively. The art of happiness is about making something happen.
3. spend some time in nature
My clients have discovered, over the years, that nature can be very inspiring and healing. Spending time in nature can boost your emotional and spiritual life. It can offer healing in surprising ways.
One of the participants in a stress management workshop I presented came up to me during the break and told me that she had been given a short time to live, once she was diagnosed with cancer. She rented a cabin in the woods and spent her time in quiet meditation, allowing the scenic and peaceful energy of the mountains to restore her spirit. She was surprised to learn, at her next visit to the doctor’s office, that her cancer had regressed.
The woman kept the cabin and continued her relaxing, meditative lifestyle, and had kept her cancer at bay for another ten years, as of our last conversation. She told me that she would continue to visit her cabin located in the peaceful countryside, at every opportunity, for the rest of her life.
So, in short, don’t give in to loneliness. . .
Just remember, you can beat loneliness by doing something different, being friends with yourself, doing what you love, taking positive action, thinking uplifting thoughts, trying new activities, or doing something nice for someone.
Soon you will be on top of the world. . . or your favorite mountain, breathing in the refreshing fresh air!