Feeling Lonely? Make an Excuse to Connect

Aloneness is not the same thing as loneliness

“Winter Blues” or “Seasonal Affective Disorder” is a real thing. It’s when people feel depressed or “blue” during winter, which also coincides with the coming holidays.

Feeling lonely is very common and many of us can relate. A survey reported that people who live with this kind of lifestyle are especially vulnerable:

• People who live on their own
• have no romantic partner
• and few close friends

In fact, the study found that people who have only one close friend feel no less lonely or isolated than those who have none. And those with three of fewer close confidants aren’t much better off.

Make an excuse to meet if you feel lonely

I recently read this piece in the New York Times about a group of friends who meet for a special dinner every Thanksgiving. They have an annual “Man of the Year” prize event, which is really just an excuse they made to commit to seeing each other at least once a year.

That’s a good example of people who make an effort to stay connected to each other. The thing about adult friendships is that they don’t grow as easily.