Are You Lonely?

Do you feel lonely at the end of the day? On weekends?

No, not particularly. But if that's true—why did I pick up this pamphlet?

Do you feel lonely because you've just moved? Because a friend or family member has died?

Well, that seems natural enough, doesn't it? I mean, even if I answered yes, it wouldn't make me pathological. Would it...?

Try to reach out to one person each day—either an old friend, or someone new that you would like to get to know. Call on the phone, send an email, or write a letter just to say hello. Make plans to take a class or join a club. Avoid escapes: TVs, movies, and romance novels are all great sources of entertainment, but be careful not to use them to avoid social contact. Accept invitations from acquaintances. And take care of yourself: if you try to look your best, you will feel better about yourself.

Why are you listing all of my hobbies as if they were symptoms?

Seek professional help. If you are feeling overwhelmed by loneliness or having trouble making changes, seek help from a therapist, doctor, or other professional.

Truth is, I only get lonely when I'm with other people—when I fail to connect, when I want to like them more than I actually do. Truth is, I only get lonely when I try to reach out across the great void that separates one person from another, and fail, because the void is so great. Truth is, I look at this little deserted island on your pamphlet as a vacation spot from all the jabbering and jabbing. I think that's why I picked it up in the first place. You said, "Are you lonely?", but I read, "Wish you were here." "Greetings from Beautiful Loneliness." "If you lived here, you'd be home by now."