Thread: Battling Loneliness in the Time of COVID-19

I don't really have anything to say, but...

Loneliness is very normal from my experience.

Like Sivason said, it's totally normal that you would feel lonely. Especially with the increased isolation and disruption of usual routines. Personally I'm about as introverted as they get (as in I score 0 in extraversion on personality tests) and after a few months of the initial energy boost, even I had enough of all that alone time and felt like I was in physical pain from lack of hugs. Taking extra care of your overall physical and mental health might not erase the loneliness but it should help with resilience in the face of it. Getting enough sunlight is an important one that's easy to forget these days. Phone calls, video chat, and other forms of communication with family and friends isn't a complete substitute for in-person interactions, but it does help. Also recommended, for the hug deficit issue: cuddling with pets if you have them, fuzzy blankets, pillows or stuffed animals to hug, and sitting down with some hot cocoa and a sappy movie. Pretty much whatever your usual tolerance for everything cute and warm and fuzzy, I'd say double it.

You can be alone, but not lonely.

I am in similar situation, maybe not as bad because I at least can see family, have a good friend, and see work colleagues and customers most days. I often don't feel lonely, even though majority of time I live at home alone but this is mostly due to my upbringing as growing up I had many friends, girlfriends, etc. so know what it's like to be 'popular' and outgoing. I was a very social-able 'butterfly' and completely extroverted until I had problem with unintentional drug-induced psychosis, which lead to my spiritual awakening. Going through psychosis literally blows your mind and eyes wide open, you experience things beyond any description. So it made me search for answers, for truth. It also made me one of the rarest personality types in the world an INFJ, whereas before that briggs personality test would have been completely different, definitely E for extrovert instead of I - Introvert. My personality has evolved over time, and feel I'm stepping closer to that extrovert mode. I've recovered completely from the psychosis and no longer need any medication for it. I came to terms with the new found spirituality as well after so much soul searching to find answers on it all. Now, I tend not to label myself as introvert or extrovert, rather understand that people go through periods of both modes, and overall it's generally not a good idea to let labels define you.

There is this thing in my country we have called ABC of mental health as below:
A = ACT
B = BELONG
C = COMMIT
It means take action (to help yourself or find help), belong (as a valued member of society), commit (commitment to things like your ongoing health, widening social circle, obtaining stable work, etc.).
The main principle being the need to get support, establish support systems and find ways of engaging more within the community. There are many tools at our disposal, the internet being one of them.

With covid, this can be difficult. For us, our covid situation is not so bad, we can freely move around our state and go to restuarants, etc. Most places are open and business as usual.
For a long time, talking with others on chat forums, or watching youtube videos, playing multi-player games let me feel that sense of connection with the outside world.

Originally Posted by MoonageDaydream

I don't really have anything to say, but...

thank you, that really means a lot.

Originally Posted by nautilus

Like Sivason said, it's totally normal that you would feel lonely. Especially with the increased isolation and disruption of usual routines. Personally I'm about as introverted as they get (as in I score 0 in extraversion on personality tests) and after a few months of the initial energy boost, even I had enough of all that alone time and felt like I was in physical pain from lack of hugs. Taking extra care of your overall physical and mental health might not erase the loneliness but it should help with resilience in the face of it. Getting enough sunlight is an important one that's easy to forget these days. Phone calls, video chat, and other forms of communication with family and friends isn't a complete substitute for in-person interactions, but it does help. Also recommended, for the hug deficit issue: cuddling with pets if you have them, fuzzy blankets, pillows or stuffed animals to hug, and sitting down with some hot cocoa and a sappy movie. Pretty much whatever your usual tolerance for everything cute and warm and fuzzy, I'd say double it.

Thank you so much for the advice, helps me feel better. Will have that hot cocoa and movie later.

Originally Posted by mobwicket

Thank you so much for the advice, helps me feel better. Will have that hot cocoa and movie later.

You're welcome, I'm really glad it helped

I am really glad that I am a member of this forum, I feel like having friends online that are really very supportive especially in times like this. Thank you all for the concern and for all the advice, I have somehow overcome my loneliness because of your positive advice.

Originally Posted by Eonnn

You can be alone, but not lonely.

I am in similar situation, maybe not as bad because I at least can see family, have a good friend, and see work colleagues and customers most days. I often don't feel lonely, even though majority of time I live at home alone but this is mostly due to my upbringing as growing up I had many friends, girlfriends, etc. so know what it's like to be 'popular' and outgoing. I was a very social-able 'butterfly' and completely extroverted until I had problem with unintentional drug-induced psychosis, which lead to my spiritual awakening. Going through psychosis literally blows your mind and eyes wide open, you experience things beyond any description. So it made me search for answers, for truth. It also made me one of the rarest personality types in the world an INFJ, whereas before that briggs personality test would have been completely different, definitely E for extrovert instead of I - Introvert. My personality has evolved over time, and feel I'm stepping closer to that extrovert mode. I've recovered completely from the psychosis and no longer need any medication for it. I came to terms with the new found spirituality as well after so much soul searching to find answers on it all. Now, I tend not to label myself as introvert or extrovert, rather understand that people go through periods of both modes, and overall it's generally not a good idea to let labels define you.

There is this thing in my country we have called ABC of mental health as below:
A = ACT
B = BELONG
C = COMMIT
It means take action (to help yourself or find help), belong (as a valued member of society), commit (commitment to things like your ongoing health, widening social circle, obtaining stable work, etc.).
The main principle being the need to get support, establish support systems and find ways of engaging more within the community. There are many tools at our disposal, the internet being one of them.

With covid, this can be difficult. For us, our covid situation is not so bad, we can freely move around our state and go to restuarants, etc. Most places are open and business as usual.
For a long time, talking with others on chat forums, or watching youtube videos, playing multi-player games let me feel that sense of connection with the outside world.

Thank you so much, I really appreciate your advice

I am sorry about that and I understand how you feel. I also was not able to celebrate the holidays with my parents and siblings, we just had a zoom celebration. Let's all hope that next Christmas we will all be together again.

same here, we had a virtual celebration with friends and family. Although it was really fun, it's still not the same as before. but it will do for now.