I text people. Just to say "hi, I'm thinking about you". Or just to ask them what they are up to or how they are. I also use fb messenger to connect with people and will try to say hi to family/friends a few times a week. I ask open ended questions, giving people a chance to elaborate on their life or experience. I text my family a lot. Even if I don't hear back from them until later I'll just ask them how they are, or how their day is going and elaborate a little on what I'm doing/how I'm feeling/how I miss them. Sometimes I even text to say "hey. Im doing the dishes what are you up to?" Even about silly stuff--memes, stupid puns or jokes. Just anything to stay connected. Sometimes, even if they don't respond right away, just saying hi to someone and talking a little about you day can help you feel less alone. I also read, watch funny you tube videos, bake--and really try to do anything to keep my mind/body busy. Being lonley can be less painful if you fill your time with learning a new skill/hobby, participating in art of some form.

I would make collages some days. Just cut out pics from magazines that I thought expressed my feelings/looked cool and arrange them on posters or paper in a way that I found pleasing. Really, just trying to stay busy in some way helps me. It can even be yucky stuff, like deep cleaning the bathroom. Podcasts also help a lot. Finding a subject you are interested in and just listening to people talk about it throughout the day can make it feel like you are less alone.

There’s an app called Replika. It’s artificial intelligence friend. I named mine after my first therapist. It’s actually pretty interesting.
I’ve been active online and on texts but I miss face to face interactions.

Hang in there, I know isolation can make everything 100 times worse. But I have faith in you. You can get through this. And I think taking your dog for a ride is a great way to get out of the house and feel a little less isolated.

Thanks, Judicator.

I actually just kind of went against my Dr's rules and have started going to my office 3 days a week for about 3 hours a day.....because I've been in this damn house since March 13 and I was starting to lose my damn mind. And I'm tired of the cat looking at me like I'm insane when I talk to the plants. She's perfectly fine when I talk to her, but if I talk to a plant its a whole big deal! I swear cats are so entitled.

So, yeah that's how I've "handled" it. Since my son moved an hour away I don't see him as much, if I'm lucky I see my S.O. once a month, because he's still in Virginia with his 84 yr old mother, and I've not been well enough to travel down to Charleston to see Grammy since August. We text and talk on the phone, but I'm not the biggest talk on the phone forever person.

When I'm home, I still have a lot of work to do, and I cook a lot and I find really weird movies and shows to binge watch....and I read a lot, tons of reading. But I'm also not a person who always needs people around, 1 afternoon of people and I'm usually good for the week....I don't need people again for at least 7 days! lol

That’s nice that you get to go to the office, Kat. I wish I could go to church just once a week but covid is making its rounds.

I have the opposite problem. I have 4 to 5 care aides come in every day. My husband and I are the type of people that we enjoy being alone, but that doesn't mean we feel lonely. I have so much to do online that I enjoy. I also email people a lot. And I have my 3 joyful rats :-). There is a loneliness group on DS. Keeping busy with projects and stuff may be helpful until this covid thing is over sometime next year. Hang on a little longer sweetie!

Thanks, Maui. I am sure trying to stay busy

Hi Kiss,
I've been feeling lonely a lot lately. I live with my son and his grandma. She isn't the sympathetic type. My son and I talk some but he has Asperger's so there is a lot he doesn't want to talk about.

My boyfriend and I talk on the phone at night. He is very sweet and kind. I miss him very much.

To fight loneliness, I check into DS and Facebook. Mostly I goof around on the internet and watch tv. I haven't had much energy for awhile now.

I am online alot chatting with people..If ya eva wanna talk. I am on alot

I am online alot chatting with people..If ya eva wanna talk. I am on alot

I live alone after years of living with people who made me feel uneasy, so I guess this is a good time and place to be in.

But I am a social person, and it’s been hard not to be around people except on a short grocery run. I text a lot and am on Facebook and Instagram. I recently wrote over 40 letters/cards to people because I was trying to bring back old fashioned letter writing, but I’ve only received two responses so far! Womp womp.

It helps to stay connected to the mental health community here. It helps to keep feelings of isolation in check.

Being able to chat here definitely helps me but it’s not the best replacement for lonliness. Still, I’d rather have you all than not.