I feel like isolating myself, but deep inside I am very lonely. What do I do?

I am often lonely but still choose to isolate myself to avoid being seen as lonely in front of people. I prefer people to think I'm unemotional than overly so, especially if i dont know them personally.

Try and reach out to some close friends and tell the ones you truly trust about how you're feeling. My friends always tried to make sure that if I felt that way they would give me some space but at least try and continue to make sure I was kept around them. They would help me feel like I was both isolated but a part of the friendship at the same time. It isn't for everyone but having that trust will also help you to come back to that friend when you are ready.

If you are lonely inside, but want to isolate yourself you should ask yourself which one would I prefer or make me happier in the future. There are people out there in the world that want to isolate themselves, to give the loneliness inside of them a purpose to be there, so ask yourself what is the meaning behind the way I feel. If this doesn't help then I recommend looking for a listener from 7 cups.

That is a surprisingly common feeling, and it is very human. Be kind to yourself, don't feel bad for wanting to isolate yourself. Take little steps to connect with other people whenever you feel ready. Maybe start online if it's easier. A message in an internet forum. A wave on facebook messenger. Or simply a post in your blog. When you want to get out, find a local group with activities that you enjoy or want to try. Smile. Be yourself. And don't be sad if a few minutes is all you can muster. There's always tomorrow. Over time the fruits of your effort build up. You'll spend less and less time isolating yourself. People will find you and connect with you. No man is an island.

It is natural to seek human connection, but at the same time, opening yourself up and feeling vulnerable can be one of the hardest feelings in the world. Finding only a few people - just one or two - to have a deep connection with can truly make a difference between feeling loved and feeling lonely. Sometimes, we just need a breather, but constantly staying in your shell won't help you get the warmth and support you need! You'll be surprised at how easy it is to find someone that is willing to listen to you.

Start by talking to someone, that person can be anyone. Just talk. If not personally, be it on a call or text. Isolating may not be a very good idea. If you think you have no one, maybe your parents, they care. Just visit them, you may not tell them everything. Or maybe an old friend, getting back in touch would be a good idea. What I am saying is just talk, to anyone. And talk about anything, the most random things. Express yourself. It's hard sometimes, being lonely inside. But you just don't want to go away, believe me.

You should do what you feel deep inside -which I feel is, apparently, to not be lonely. We both know it's impossible to be totally isolated from society, maybe it's a matter of looking and knowing the right type of people. Hey you could find them here on 7cups!

Ask for help, it is perfectly okay and very healthy and smart to do so, actually! Find groups associated to hobbies you like or strenghten your current relationships' circles.

Loneliness is never a good feeling to sit with, and it can often lead one down to even darker places. But please know that no matter who you are there are people that care about you and are willing to help you. Hold onto those people that love you! Here at 7 cups, we're here to listen and support so that you never feel lonely either. If you are lonely, please know that you are never alone.

You need to dig deep inside of yourself and ask what you really want. Isolating yourself constantly is never a good idea unless youre around people that are toxic to your health.

Tell one person you’re not feeling okay. Of course it can be extremely helpful to be open about exactly what you’re going through and how you feel, but if that feels too daunting or you don’t feel like you know anyone who would understand, it’s okay to just tell someone you aren’t doing well without getting into the details. Opening up doesn’t have to be all or nothing, and even telling someone you trust that you’re having a hard time but you’d rather not explain it can lift a huge weight and make you feel a lot less alone. The desire to isolate yourself often comes from exhaustion due to the pressure to “fake it” around other people, so taking steps toward being more genuine—even when you aren’t ready to be open—can do a lot to alleviate that.

Be alone for a bit. Take a walk, listen to music, go watch a movie. By the end of the day, so talk to someone. Anybody who you are close to. Just talk about the day.

Don't isolate yourself, but don't surround yourself with people either. Keep in contact with a select few people you really care about or try to make a couple of close friends. Talk those these people regularly and see them regularly. Going to parties with many people and no close personal contact might only make it worse.

Try talking about it, to a trained listener, or a therapist, it's a great way to start and get a perspective on what you really want, how you really feel, and perhaps even why.

A message that might help you is: what is most personal is also most universal. Often times, many of us think that no one can understand what we're feeling or thinking, and that mentality pushes us towards a cycle of isolation. However, many people are more relatable than we make them out to be. I know it will be hard, but try reaching out to someone you can trust, or even talk to someone on 7 Cups about what you are feeling that makes you want to isolate yourself and you will more than likely find that you are never alone in this world :)

It is best to talk to someone about this. You are being very brave by taking the first step and talking to us here. Talking to a friend or supportive family member may help, but talking to a trained professional will work best. As someone with depression, I often feel lonely and like I need to isolate everyone in my life, but that is when I realized I need people the most and have been the most comforted by the people who I found to care about me.

Try to interact with others when safe and possible. Also, utilize 7Cups to meet others and have a fun time. :)

Try to find people who can relate to you, and can understand. You would be making a friend and letting your feelings out.

I find that it often helps to read a book, as it involves you as a reader and surrounds you by other characters. It might inspire you to talk to people around you, for example family! :)

Fight the feeling and get out to mingle with people. Speaking with random people can cure your loneliness. The more you talk to people the less lonely you feel. Eventually, you'll find someone or people that will end your loneliness. The great thing you can do is fight the urge.

It's normal, you feel like you have to shield yourself fro others but at the same time you want to have meaningful connections. Ask yourself why you want to isolate yourself, do you think there is something inherently wrong with you? That you are not good enough? That you are a failure? These are tricks your mind plays on you to try to protect you, but the threats that it is afraid of aren't really there. It is impossible to be "not good enough" or anything like that by default

Ignore the first part of that feeling, don't isolate yourself and cut people off. Find people you can talk to, even if it is just a stranger you can have a random conversation with it is better than nothing. The worst you can do is isolate yourself and end up in that hellish echo chamber with only yourself to keep you company.

If you feel like isolating yourself as well as talking to others because your lonely is if you found friends to talk to see if they can come with you and keep you company while being away from crowded areas.

Relax, take it easy. I think a lot of people have felt like just blocking themselves from the world and isolating themselves at one point or another. Don't blame yourself for feeling this way, instead try to understand yourself better and find out what makes you feel this way. You could try talking to a close friend or family member about this, or even talk to a therapist if you don't feel comfortable with talking to a person you know.

If you don’t enjoy being by yourself, perhaps it is better to surround yourself with people who know you on a deeper level

After studying this concept in depth in my own life, I've figured out that the truth behind loneliness is that it is highly related to the walls that we've put up in our own lives. Ever been hurt by someone else? Ever told yourself that you will never be hurt by another person like that ever again? One way or another we develop major walls inside ourselves that are intended to make it to where we cannot be hurt again. However! These same walls are what is creating the loneliness in our hearts. As humans we naturally desire to let someone in on the deepest and most vulnerable parts of our hearts, and when we cannot do this loneliness is the feeling that arises. If you feel like isolating yourself but also feel lonely, then try the following advice. Find someone in your life who you can expect to listen to you and be vulnerable with them about some of the deep parts of your heart. Once you are able to share this bond with another human being, I truly believe that loneliness will subside.

You can isolate yourself and still not feel lonely and the other way around. If you feel lonely you might want to explore your feelings with a professional.

Perhaps you're going through some depression, so if you've been diagnosed with it, you can always find support here with our listeners and therapists. It's hard when you feel lonely, but there must also be a reason as to why you want to isolate yourself, then you can hopefully address the situation better!

Sometimes we as people feel lonely even if we are among a group of people, amidst laughter and noise of conversation. Deep down we have an inner core of peace that can be revitalized through solitude. Sometimes our innate need to isolate and move away from people is to find that inner peace and solace.

Call or text a friend! They will keep you busy for a while, but otherwise message one of us on here! We could suggest something for you to try doing. Like go for a jog or a walk