Loneliness Support Group

Loneliness is an emotional state in which a person experiences a powerful feeling of emptiness and isolation. Loneliness is more than the feeling of wanting company or wanting to do something with another person. Loneliness is a feeling of being cut off, disconnected and alienated from other people. The lonely person may find it difficult or even impossible to have any...

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Imagine loneliness of the past

Scott46
Scott46

It occurred to me the other day how much worse it must have been to be isolated/lonely for past generations. At least we have the web and can reach out all over the world. Its not the same as face to face but its something. Think about what your grandparents or GGPs went through when their spouse past away. Sure, many had remaining family, friends, and church. But some didn't. Just a thought.

billwfriend
billwfriend
Think of the bubonic plague and how scared they were when then they didnt know much as we do scientifically.
Can you relate?
Ghostwolf04
Ghostwolf04
Lol they had barn dances, dinners, games, all kinds of stuff my grandparents talked about during the great depression. And they had alot of sex and babies. My mammaw had 12 kids and granny had 7. Also, even if they didn't have job to go to, and women usually didn't, there was much to do at home to stay busy. Also people wrote letters and post cards all the time.
I think it sounds much better back then because everyone did that stuff and was more grateful for one another. Now all we have is spotty internet service and stupid Facebook where parents post shit that gets their kids identity stolen. I'm actually jealous of people who get to stay home right now, but then again, I'm also thankful I didn't lose my job.
Scott46
Scott46
Bill: Not really the same thing.
Scott46
Scott46
True, rural areas have always had more of a community based culture. Has it even changed much though? Don't they still have dances, church socials, etc.?
maria718
maria718
Yes isolation could always be worse, reading the examples that were written above. I remember many years ago immigrants came to New York City and since they were new in this Country and didn't know anyone, they stuck together and made things by themselves or for their relatives. Didn't rely on anyone. They used natural remedies for aches and pains. Grew their own gardens. Sewed their own clothes. And everyone helped each other. I don't care how many speeches the President and the Governor make, it's not going to calm people down. In this day and age, we're dependent on everything and wouldn't have a clue as to what to do.
SunnierDays
SunnierDays
Scott,

thanks for sharing this. But I have to disagree. I would argue that we're actually more isolated these days than our grandparents and great grandparents. Why?
The dissolution of community.

Even as early as the 70's and maybe even the 80's, a lot of people were civically engaged and attended churches. These days? Not so much, and what has replaced it is social media, which is a very poor substitute.

I have to agree with Deo, as another millennial, I must say that my generation has a bad reputation and lot of it is deserved. Too many of us are spoiled, entitled, and socializing consists of posting on facebook. Some studies show we are the most likely generation to report having zero friends and we are also the most likely to report feeling very lonely.

This describes me perfectly. Why? In my case, I don't really socialize outside of work unless it is via text or through an online forum such as this one. But while the digital world connects us more than ever, it's not as good of a substitute as flesh and blood, face to face relationships.

Don't get me wrong, for me, I am thankful for forums such as these, because it is therapeutic on many levels.
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