ou did not move and have just struggled to form lasting relationships where you live, look into getting involved with a local group.
Think about your hobbies, whether that be reading, cooking, biking, or almost anything else, or interest such as your faith or occupation, and do an online search for groups in your area that specialize in your interests. MeetUp.com, for example, is a great resource for a variety of different meetup groups. Best of all, many of the activities you will find online are free of cost.
Finding a group with a similar interest can take away much of the anxiety associated with meeting new people because you go into meeting them knowing that there is common ground, a shared interest, and conversation starter. Plus, if you are meeting up with people for an activity such as a hike or to cook a meal, you do not have to worry about filling awkward silences as you would on a first date because the activity will somewhat occupy everyone.
Even if you do not make any lasting friendships from attending a meetup, it is a great opportunity to be social and spend some time with other people, and hopefully find an activity that you enjoy.
Embrace Your Solitude
Even people with twenty best friends end up spending some time alone. There is no way to avoid being alone completely, so to combat feelings of loneliness, find something that you truly enjoy to occupy the time. Try some activities that can be done alone, like reading, painting, or yoga. It is important to try a few things until you find something that you genuinely enjoy and that makes you happy.
Once you have found this individual hobby, you may find that you even look forward to spending time alone. Doing something you enjoy during times of solitude, rather than dwelling on the negative emotions associated with loneliness, can change your perspective about loneliness and make you an overall happier person.
Journaling is another great way to spend some of your alone time. Journaling is a wonderful mindfulness tool and can help you view your problems, such as loneliness, from a different perspective. Writing your thoughts down on paper can also help you by providing an outlet for your thoughts and feelings if you ever feel like you do not have someone to talk to (although a therapist or counselor is better suited for this role).
More and more people are tuning in to the benefits of spending time in nature, and for a good reason. When you are feeling lonely, consider simply spending twenty minutes to an hour outside. Walking among trees, flowers, mountains, or other nature tends to help put our problems in perspective. Additionally, going outside and disconnecting from technology can give people a much-needed break from the screen and the comparison that social media brings.
Nature serves a dual purpose of reminding us how small we, and our problems, really are, and putting things in perspective. Plus, spending time in the natural world, surrounded by plants and maybe even animals, may make you feel that you are less alone. At the very least, a few minutes of fresh air can help you clear your head and feel refreshed.
Put Down The Phone
There is no doubt that social media has many uses, and in theory, can make it easier to connect with other people. However, often it does the opposite. Many people are so attached to their phones that they spend most of their time using them, even when they are with other people. This makes everyone feel lonely, regardless of if they are in the presence of friends or not.
Social media can also be problematic when coping with loneliness because it provides endless opportunities for comparison with others. It is no secret that most people only show the "highlight reel" of their lives online. Even if someone does struggle with loneliness, they will only post pictures of themselves smiling with friends. The result is that when someone is fighting loneliness, looking at social media will make them feel even more alone. If you are struggling with loneliness, cutting down on social media, and the constant comparison that comes with