We all have times when we feel alone. What are ways that you combat loneliness? Pray? Join a group? How can we encourage each other to stay positive?
Thanks to Laura P!
Oh Loneliness….this is a good topic and I’ve loved reading through all the posts this week.
Loneliness is something I really struggle with on and off. And yes there are times when everyone is lonely no matter what phase of life. However, I think for singles it just seems to be more obvious. Granted I’ve never been married so I can’t really speak for them.
I moved to Florida 4 years ago and it’s been a struggle to find local friends. This blog was started partially due to the lack of community I had locally. There are times I go to events and socials and feel like everyone already has friends, and significant others that it’s hard to get a word into their conversations and get to know new people on a deeper level.
I also feel like it’s really hard to talk about being lonely to other people because it freaks people out. People aren’t sure how to react. Should they feel sorry for you, pray for you, or give you unsolicited advice as to why you are lonely..which then leads to those awkward “You’re such a great person why are you single?!!?” conversations.
There was even a period of time last year when I HATED going to mass alone amongst all the families and couples. I actually ended up switching parishes due to this at one point as well. I DREADED going to mass for a period of time because I hated feeling so alone at the one place I felt like I shouldn’t feel alone.
So what do I do when loneliness creeps in?
Honestly, first I usually cry. Yeah I’m not very good at handling this feeling. Then I try to get out of the house. Even if it’s just to go to Starbucks and surf the internet and people watch. Usually changing my surroundings helps. I also try and go to Adoration. Even if all I do in adoration is argue with God in my head it’s usually really helpful because Jesus is there.
For awhile loneliness was really creeping in on the weekend when I didn’t have any plans. So I started going to my moms house and having dinner with her and my sister and spending time with them. They aren’t girlfriends or dates but they are family and fun to be with. We all recently purchased scooters we leave at my moms house and ride them around town, which is a lot of fun!
Sometimes I’ll browse meetup.com groups but lately I haven’t seen anything interesting on there. I think this time of year a lot of things tend to slow down. I’m hoping things start to pick-up. I did an Advent study at a parish during Advent and I’m hoping they do a series for Lent as well. I really enjoyed it.
I’m really thankful for the Not Alone Series and all my online, twitter and blogging friends that has gotten me through this period of time. I honestly am not sure how I would have made it through some of the days without them.
I love my Meetup group. I tried a few young adult ones at first, but the one I stuck with has a regular weekly activity and mostly members in their 30s. The regular attendees have become my friends, though. It helps that I’m a joiner and go almost every week.
Being a joiner has also helped with the local Catholic young adult scene. The group I initially joined has disbanded, but from the start, I intentionally made friends within that group. Some people I don’t see much anymore, but others are good friends now. Are you the kind of person who starts groups, are you more of a joiner, or are you “all-in” like I am?
Lindsay recently posted…Booking Through Thursday: Love Stories
I’m more of a joiner but haven’t found any groups that have stuck. A lot of them start and stop. Granted a lot of them only have events 1-2 times a month so I think that hurts them in the end. It’s been hard to find groups that meet weekly. I went to an advent study that was really good but they decided not to do a Lent study. Hopefully eventually I’ll find a group that sticks! LOL
BethAnne recently posted…2015 Lenten Meal Plan Link-up ~ WEEK 1
Meeting weekly is *critical*. I find that people are reluctant to commit to something weekly, even for a short time, but the fruits are amazing. It becomes a habit. It takes much longer to build a once-a-month habit, and it’s next to impossible to form real relationships like that.
The only context I can see once-a-month working for is a book club, but that’s only because it takes time to read a whole book. Someday I want to start an articles club: same depth of discussion, lighter time commitment, more frequent meetings.
Lindsay recently posted…What I Wore Sunday: Boots Again
I totally agree and I feel with monthly groups different people show up each month so every month you tend to be meeting new people and friendships don’t really happen.
I would LOVE an Articles Club. I’m a super slow reader and it takes me FOREVER to read books but articles I can easily read within a week. A Catholic Articles Club would be really cool…there are so many great Catholic Articles floating around the internet!
BethAnne recently posted…2015 Lenten Meal Plan Link-up ~ WEEK 1