How Do We Manage Loneliness?

Some people seem unable to function without daily social interaction, while others can go weeks without seeing a human being, and are perfectly fine. How do we manage loneliness?

Still, we cannot ignore that many studies show us that people with lots of social connections are, in general, happier. And looking at human behavior, on the whole, we could say that, from a default position, we always tend to look for a connection with fellow humans.

Thus, it seems that the desire for social interaction, in one form or another, is ingrained in human nature through all stages of life. However, there’s more to loneliness than an inborn need for connection (or the lack thereof). The intellectual side of loneliness is often overlooked: meaning that we hardly realize that loneliness stems, for a great part, from how we think.

This video explores different views on how to manage loneliness and proposes possible antidotes based on ancient philosophy. These philosophies are mainly geared towards acceptance and transcendence.

NOTE: The 'antidotes' in this video are probably more suitable for people who experience loneliness from time to time, but not in ways that severely affect their mental health. If you're really in a dark place, please contact a mental health professional.

How to be happy alone?

Further learning:

Cuts, voice, footage, script by Einzelgänger. I also used Creative Commons and licensed material from Storyblocks (links available upon request).

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Music used:

Jesse Gallagher - The Inner Sound
Jesse Gallagher - Thin Places

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#loneliness #lonely #acceptance

[Shlogger]

The worst part to me is just wanting to share things with people. Experiences. Knowledge. Love. Art. Beauty. Ideas. I understand the concept of self mastery and appreciating solitude and all that jazz and I know that expectations and desire for things can make you miserable. I know all of this and see it constantly repeated in all these videos but it doesn't change anything. I get tired of participating in this world by myself always. No one to be there when my parent's died. No one to celebrate the good times when they come along. Just me. Always. I meet people and talk and their faces move and they say meaningless things and we make meaningless gestures that turn to nothing over time and always I'm here. Alone. Not sure if I'm depressed cause I'm lonely or lonely because I'm depressed. I think the depression came first but the loneliness was it's partner in crime. I do think there's a reason behind everything so obviously I've still got some progress to make but man. Sometimes it just gets to be too much. The worst part is this message will probably not be seen as I've been censored on here for quite some time. Oh well. Another note in the bottle tossed. peace.

[bacharimam]

The antidote to loneliness is to feel seen, heard and understood.
If you just have one person in your life who makes you feel understood, you are a lucky man.

[johnmarston]

Loneliness and isolation is a gift. Everything else is a test of your endurance.

[paigejanelle]

Wayne Dyer has beautifully said, "Your only lonely if you dont like the person your alone with! " Make peace with yourself, love yourself and enjoy YOU. 🌷

[zesticide]

I would be pretty lonely if I didn't have myself.

[kingzay]

Think you hit the nail on the head in saying that loneliness comes from an expectation about how things should be, that and being around people who make you feel alone.

[finding_mojo]

I live alone in a small cabin in the bush. I do have occasional social contact but spend large slabs of time in isolation. I manage it by keeping my sense of humour, laughing at myself sometimes, even talking with myself if I'm feeling low and need to express my feelings. It sounds crazy but it helps believe it or not. I try and keep a routine that includes exercise and meditation and I also try to eat well. These forms of self-care help me a great deal, especially daily meditation.

[awesomegamer]

I always feel so lonely but when people come into my life I push them away, becoming more lonely in the process. It’s an endless cycle

[dragstationvr]

Quote notes:
10:05
10:47
My beliefs:
Happiness (not pleasure) : Strive to reach goals that involve self improvement (ex. Personal skills), even if those goals are not guaranteed to be achieved within the span of your lifetime because no one is destined to be as fortunate in life as another. Improving the lives of others will come as a byproduct of improving one's self.

Entropy: Universal law that if anything does not change in state, it will gradually become "worse" over time. Constantly striving to improve one's self will counter entropy, and help lead to a better life.

Moderation and Chaos: Not too much, not too little. Strive to achieve balance. Remember, a prolonged state of balance will deteriorate due to entropy (that's why perpetual world peace cannot be), so mix it up. Stray from balance every so often. However, even repeating a pattern of straying from balance can worsen over time (entropy). Change it up somehow. Order is like a still stone, while chaos is like a star, active but for a limited time. As long as we are alive, we should strive to be more like order, but never expect to be order as living beings are not dead.

In short, change and the progress of life is key to living a fulfilling, happy life. Even if life has it's struggles and can cause displeasure, at least you can die happy (fulfilled, not necessarily pleased).

Knowledge is key.

[fromthesofabed]

Uploaded at the right time, as always

[ScottishLeo]

"My alone feels so good, I'll only have you if you're sweeter than my solitude" - Warson Shire. Others can only add to your contentment, not create it. Thanks for good vid at the right time

[cidiafordi]

In general: Dopamine, Serotonin, Oxytocin, and Endorphins make everyone happy, happiness is basically biochemistry! It depends however on individuals what makes your body to create and release those chemical substances! sports? music? time with family? travel? do whatever works for you! I liked this video, Mister Einzelg. sounds smart:3

[Germanic-Wellness]

Moving to London from the Netherlands gave me the intense experience of loneliness and social isolation. Yet when I look back to my life in Holland I also felt that over there. For me the quickest way to feel more connected and engaged to life is to do something creative. Get into a flow state that makes you feel present. Or maybe extreme sports. Also makes you feel very present.

[Mwuhahaha]

I needed this. I have a huge problem with feeling alone constantly and I want all the help I can get

[luisterrust]

To everyone who reads this. I’ve been lonely for most of my life but when I started to control my mind, beliefs and thoughts and finally accepted myself. Friends entered my life. Try to love yourself because you deserve friends and love 🍀❤️🌟

[dachater]

Good one. That’s exactly what happens - I will say at my age I should be married with a house full of kids but here I am on my own and it only increases that feeling of loneliness. I want to learn to enjoy my solitude and not fear it.

[nandeetjihero]

I like how he says “Thank you for watching.”

[theItalianshamrock]

I love being alone. Spending time with my thoughts. Making myself happy. I go for hikes alone and enjoy connecting with nature while in isolation

[camiloordonez]

This came frighteningly on time for me

[brandonbass]

Being alone is a blessing in disguise🙏🏾