Feeling alone is extremely difficult and you are not alone in feeling this way. It is a difficult rut to get out of when we feel this way and typically the response is to isolate which tends to make the feeling worse. Do you have a pet? When I feel this way I typically take my dog for a walk in the sunshine (I guess it depends on where you live and if its feasible to do this). Sometimes a 15 minute walk with the sun shining down on you can help ease the depressed feelings.

When i have felt this in the past I try to treat myself to some extra pampering, like getting my nails done, going to the beach where I can get lost in the peacefulness of the water.

While these things may not eliminate these feelings it can help you get through the day to day moments that you are struggling.

Hang in there.
Holly

I tend to deny my social needs even more than I deny my nutritional needs. I starve myself readily in both arenas and strive to put such pettiness beneath me. I keep my super cape well starched.

When I can get past my personal delusions and acknowledge my human needs, I seek the places where people gather. I take classes. Go to church. Do volunteer work. Attend support groups.

And hope that one day I will leave my super cape on the hook for long enough to quit driving my friends away...

I really like my solitude...i only need a good deep conversation with someone like once a week and i'm good...I like the quiteness of it and that i can think.

I'm really sorry you're feeling lonely. I've been mostly in bed for three days badly depressed. I saw my therapist today, and I need to follow her advice. Cardio/exercise gives a euphoria to get me out of this funk... I don't have friends either. Friends require energy, and I just don't have it in me. I just pray I can get out to get out of the house and get the endorphines going. Maybe a pet or listening to music might help too. I like everyone's comments about taking a walk... perhaps you'll met someone.

As a person who lives alone, I need to bring up the issue of 'what is a friend anyway?'

When I was young, a friend was someone you could share anything and everything with.

Now I view friends in a much more domain specific way: I am friendly with everyone from store clerks to neighbors, but they don't know much about me. I do independent work in the arts, and have friends I see when art events come up. I have a couple people I eat out with occasionally and we don't talk about much that is very deep, but we have a good time. I have found it easier to spread out my need to communicate and not depend heavily on any single individual.

So when you say you have no friends, are you saying you have no one to be even casually friendly with, or no intimate friendships?

I like Arfie's suggestions about volunteering and taking classes. When I think about a class, I usually think about something offered through the Recreation Department, where people are there for selective information and fun.

LadyDi, you might start by thinking of what you'd like to do, getting involved with that, and the companions will be found in those settings.

Make sure you are not the one hiding away from people.

I like Ar