Serious Loneliness

[Zeostar]

How do you personally define loneliness?

To start this off, I despise reddit for certain reasons and I refuse to use it in a conventional way. However there were certain subreddits called "Depression" "Suicide Watch" (for people considering self harm) and "Loneliness". There have been times I've circulated these forums so I could lend an ear. I'm no therapist, but maybe getting one reply for some of these people could help slightly.

Loneliness in particular was interesting, because it was almost solely a venting place for not being able to find relationships. It was not how I envisioned the word lonely, being aromantic I just couldn't emphasize with many of these posts.

"Lonely" isn't something I can say I've had an issue with. Being a rather solitary person, I had always been happy with my own company. I don't even hold much of an online presence besides a very select few places. I think my closest experience with feeling lonely came after I made a close friend on Pokecommunity, at points we texted and called. It was fun...but eventually we parted ways. There were a few months of this 'stinging' feeling, I'd have something exciting to share and the person wasn't there anymore. I think what I had felt during the time was loneliness. The feeling gradually faded.

How do you define loneliness and do you have any experiences with it? What advice would you give to those feeling this way?

 

[Devalue]

Defines it as wanting someone else's company, but being unable to obtain it. Specifies some deeper level of connection as well. Could be among people, but still quite lonely.

Never dealt with it much. Usually seeks more solitude, not less. Might like some deeper contact from time to time. Springs up sporadically and briefly, though. Assumes the social maintenance necessary to retain such contact outweigh the benefits. Chases away any loneliness.

Cannot offer solid advice on the matter. Leaves that to those with experience.

 

[Corrin]

I've been alone all my life, here's how I see it.
I have no one I can really open up to, no one to support me. No one will ever defend me or be there for me, no ever actually has. I've been blamed and vilified for things such as the government reducing our income.

I feel truly alone because I'm not close to anyone, basically. My family just blames me for this circumstance, so they are null.

 

[Megan]

It's a thing, always has been. In my childhood I used to spend a lot of time making up stories in my head and let characters play them out. I started with videogame and anime characters but gradually replaced them with my own OCs. Back then I didn't need to worry about money and such, so it was a lot easier to do. Nowadays, a lot of the magic has faded, but I still do it from time to time. In general: keeping my own characters around as companions is something I like doing, because there isn't really an alternative. In fact, one of them is staring you in the face this very instance.

Can't say if that's even remotely healthy of an attitude to have, but it beats being completely alone, even if you're aware that they are not real and never will be.

Opening up to others is one thing, I guess. The problem is that some people need to encounter one of those open people who get a long with basically everyone, in order to open up themselves. You know, people like Roni, who seems to be busy lately, though.