How to Support a Loved One Struggling with Loneliness
Hi there, today well be talking about how to support a loved one struggling with loneliness. Thank you for taking the step toward helping them, it takes a dedicated someone to volunteer their time and energy toward helping a friend.
You may be feeling helpless, not sure what to do to help your loved ones. You might feel as though youve done something wrong, that this is your fault. It can be, but often times loneliness is caused by disorders, illnesses, of just a series of awful days. By understanding and learning what loneliness can feel like, you could connect with them in so many new ways.
Here are some steps you could take to support your loved ones through this difficult journey
★ What Causes Loneliness?
Loneliness can manifest in many forms, it can be caused by depression, anxiety, autism, addictions, Alzheimers disease, and personality disorders, just to name a few. Your loved ones struggling with loneliness does not mean you are a bad person, it simply means they view support in a different way than you do. Talking to them can help figure out a support system that works for both of you.
★ What Loneliness Feels Like
Think of a time you felt really alone. A time where you felt as though no one in the world cared about what you thought or wanted to help you with your journey. Someone struggling with loneliness could feel this feeling amplified, or feel something completely different. Some people describe loneliness as ‘drowning in a bottomless pit, or ‘feeling like you are trapped in a bubble that keeps you apart from the world, even when there are people all around you,
★ How Can You Support Someone Struggling With Loneliness?
-Listen To Them
Listening is the biggest thing someone can do. Your friend or loved one may be quiet but that doesnt mean they dont have a lot to say. Practice your active listening skills, focus on what theyre saying, engage with them, and let them know you care! Its a simple thing to do but it makes such a big impact.
-Spend Time With Them
Do something they really love. Someone struggling with loneliness probably isnt doing things they used to enjoy as much. Think of something they have a passion for and spend time with them bonding over it. You may have to start small, but even the littlest thing could show them you care, and who knows, you might even get to know them better!
-Check In With Them
It doesnt have to be a long thing, just send them a message and ask how theyre doing. Show them you care and prove it too! Someone having a bad day might be reluctant to open up, a simple gesture could help them come out of that rabbit hole.
-Figure Out Coping Strategies
Coping strategies are a big one. Often someone struggling with anxiety might develop anxiety or depression and vice versa. Some simple coping strategies could be deep breathing or sending them images of cute animals. Of course, its different for everyone. Talk to them about what helps them calm down and when you see theyre in distress, remind them gently about a coping strategy and guide them through it.
-Create a Safe Space
This might be the most important one yet. Loneliness is not a weakness, its not something to be ashamed of. Let your loved ones know that you support them and that they can talk to you about anything.
A few questions for you:
What does loneliness mean to you?
Whats one way you can help/have helped someone with this loneliness?
How do you deal with loneliness?
A big thank you to @AveryLove for the ‘how to support thread!
@LittlebluP @PeppermintLove @SpectrumForHope @playfulPalm95 @MayaRoseBird5656 @ArwaS @CranberryPineapples @Mimi15
@frostyOcean72 amazing job!! I agree!!!
@playfulPalm95
Thank you! Supporting your loved ones is a great thing to do!
Love this Ocean!!
What does loneliness mean to you?
To me, loneliness means feeling like you have no one who cares about you and that you are all on your own on your life path.
Whats one way you can help/have helped someone with this loneliness? How do you deal with loneliness?
i personally have struggled myself with loneliness in the past. What helped me was using my free time to figure myself out better & what i like. And also not isolating yourself! I understand it can be rough and a scary thought to be around people but you do end up meeting new faces and maybe people who will change your life so much to the better.
tagging @freshMelon54 @ASilentObserver @EncouragingSteps @FighterPhoenix2 @flanunu to participate!
@AveryLove
Definitely Avery! Loneliness is tough and can make you feel so alone but Im glad you found things that work for you! I love the part about not isolating yourself, it can be tough but worth it in the end 
@AveryLove I agree with this too Avery. Your description of loneliness is perfect!!
@AveryLove @frostyOcean72 This is a great post!
What does loneliness mean to you?
I personally think loneliness is a state of mind. It's how we perceive the situation and react to it. I say this because there are people who have many friends and still feel lonely as well as people who don't interact with others much but don't feel lonely. There are the cases of having friends and not feeling lonely as well as not talking much and feeling lonely too.
Whats one way you can help/have helped someone with this loneliness?
I came across someone like that only once and I'd like to think I did my best to help her. I started talking to her and connected with her as much as I could and yeah, I guess that really helped as she's been my best friend for 2 years now. xD
How do you deal with loneliness?
I don't really experience much loneliness now but it was intense a few years ago. I overcame that by interacting with others more, indulging in my hobbies, and participating in various events at my school.
@EncouragingSteps
Absolutely steps, its different for everyone. Im so glad you made a new friend by supporting them and Im very proud of you for working towards getting better!
@frostyOcean72 Thank you! :')
@frostyOcean72
This is an amazing post, thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with us! I've learnt a lot :) ❤️
@peppermintlove
Thank you for all your support pepper <3
@frostyOcean72
A few questions for you:
What does loneliness mean to you? That feeling when you are in a room full of people but stuck in your own mind that you can't get out of.
Whats one way you can help/have helped someone with this loneliness? Be there for them, support them, don't leave their side
How do you deal with loneliness? Socialising, off or online
@peacefullistener22
Struggling with loneliness is a very tough thing to go through, just someone being there can make such a big difference! Socializing is great, and I love how its so much easier these days with internet friendships being so accessible
@frostyOcean72
A few questions for you:
What does loneliness mean to you? That feeling when you are in a room full of people but stuck in your own mind that you can't get out of.
Whats one way you can help/have helped someone with this loneliness? Be there for them, support them, don't leave their side
How do you deal with loneliness? Socialising, off or online
What does loneliness mean to you?
I don't like getting on a sad note but, loneliness is dificult for me, because I have too much time "to think" if that makes sense. When I have no one to talk to, I begin to drift away, self-analize and philosophise a lot. I get pretty depressed eventually; which is why it is hard for me to deal with loneliness.
I struggled a lot with this before meeting my partner.
Whats one way you can help/have helped someone with this loneliness?
Communicate, find time to spend with that person, show them that you care about them.
How do you deal with loneliness?
I try to distract myself in various ways. Usually I turn to my hobbies, but I also daydream a lot. Art and music is also a big part of my life, which makes me happy 
I used to cope in more unhealthy ways, but I am in a much better place now.
@flanunu
It definitely makes sense, struggling with loneliness can in turn be one of the factors toward depression or anxiety, or the other way around. Thank you for sharing!
Im very glad you have healthier coping mechanisms now, art and music are wonderful strategies, and while some other unhealthier strategies may only be a short term fix, this can really help us heal in the long term.
@frostyOcean72 yes, definately. Well said Ocean
@frostyOcean72 this is a great post Ocean. thanks!!
@ASilentObserver
Thank you for all your support!
@frostyOcean72
Nice work dear. It some thing we all faced in past or we are facing it frequent. I feel many time when I don't get the support which I need at particular situation. I feel nervous at the moment. Feel little bit low.
Generally talking to friend help me though being distance far , listening to me and giving confidence that I can do it I am strong enough to handle all alone make me feel good and strength.
Sometime I can't read friend I sleep I sleep and listening song.just let go my feeling.
@blindHeart12
Thank you! Im sorry you have to go through that I do I hope things get better <3
@frostyOcean72
Yeah I am fine dear. It's like to learn to handle it when it become frequent. No option right.
