Loneliness and sadness, with a side dish of depression and anxiety, seem to be conditions we have come to accept in this hyper connected world. When I say accept, I don't mean we are fine with it, it is just that most people don't have the energy or will to change their daily lives to try the cheap remedies. You know, like rearranging our schedules and inconveniencing ourselves to connect with humans in person, beyond what is required of us. Many of us are tired and have accepted that humanity is in a rut.
In this awesome 20-minute Ted Talk about anxiety and depression, Johann Hani says "we are the loneliest society in human history." According to his work, 39% of people claim they are no longer close to anyone. This is 4 of the 10 people you know. He has many other stories about healing that you will love.
My hypothesis is that our hyper connectivity has led us to a Lonely Island where humans are showing up to phone. Yes, I created a new verb. To phone is to ignore everyone around you while you connect with people you don't know well or know at all.
One of my new sources of joy is Urban Dictionary. I love their definition of loneliness:
Loneliness occurs when you feel as if nobody gives a crap about what you want.
There's nobody to turn to or ask for help, you only have yourself.
Loneliness can make even the happiest of things not seem so great.
It really takes most of the enjoyment out of life.
One thing that helps with loneliness is to find a hobby you like and stick with it.
Enjoy yourself and have fun while doing it. And if you do it in a club or a group, you might find some nice people who actually give a crap to be friends with.
I don't have answers other than to try our hardest to connect and reconnect with our people. Or find new people. I get it, the mere thought of this may give you anxiety, but people save people. And you deserve to be saved. Together, we've got this.
p.s. If you have no people, please email me. I will be your people.
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