Loneliness is killing me

[sarahsfeelings]

I had a mental breakdown today. I remembered after a few weeks again, that how lonely and sad I am. I'm never deeply happy and there's always something that is bothering me in my mind. The anxiety, the sudden fear that takes over all my body whenever I think about the future, the fact that I can go a whole week doing alright and being happy, but suddenly I break down. I think all this stuff would be easier for me to deal with if I had someone to talk to. A friend. A real friend who likes and talks to me and wants to spend time with me. Right now I'm really nervous about school and I know that school work is gonna be so messy. Students might get vaccinated soon in my country and so school might probably go back to normal and I'm not ready for that. I was planning on working after school and I thought it would be easy cause school is online but now everything feels kinda messy. But I don't have anyone to talk to. I need a therapist but I can't afford it currently. I was hoping that I could make some money by working after school but I'm afraid if that's not gonna happen. I see people fully vaccinated all over the world on social media, spending time with friends, travelling and living their normal lives. I never had that, Covid didn't change anything for me it just made me more of an introvert. All I'm saying is that I'm currently very lonely and there's no one who can help me and these days it's often a challenge for me to find something to be happy about.

Does anyone have a way for dealing with loneliness? Will it get better?

[Hidden]

Have you got family that you could talk to? Does your school have a counsellor?

[sarahsfeelings in reply to Hidden]

Not really

[KJnOTT]

I am so glad you reached out, we need the support and encouragement of others, particularly when we are struggling. I know what it is like to feel stuck in your situation and feelings, wondering when it is going to turn around. Take it one day at a time. You are not alone in experiencing feelings of loneliness, its actually much more common than you would think.

Here is a contact for a free session with a licensed counselor. They will be able to assist you and maybe provide some local supports in your community - 855-382-5433.

Praying that you find strength, hope and love during this season. Sending you a bit virtual hug my friend!

[sarahsfeelings in reply to KJnOTT]

thank you🙏😊

[Roia]

You are so young Sarah. Your whole life is ahead of you, full of possibilities and many options.Nothing stays in one place, Life is not static it is always moving and changing . Unfortunately not always for the better to some of us...

Bumble dating app has a feature for BFF. You can find many friends in your area you can meet up and talk to. Stay positive, stay hopeful and take care of yourself. Your life as an adult is only beginning . Warm hugs.

By the way, you can always PM if things get rough.

🤗

[AZdesert35]

I am not sure what country you are in, but I know there are so many services out there if you spend the time to look for them. Cost was always a barrier for me. In fact, with my current insurance, I have a $3000 deductible which means just about anything I do is out of pocket. I've even avoided going to the ER because a 2 hour visit usually runs about $4,000 and that's just to walk in the door and get told that it's probably something I ate and I will be fine. If you are working, many companies have an EAP program, Employee Assistance Program. It's a free, anonymous service that you can use for mental health, financial guidance, legal guidance. I know a lot of people that have relied on that. If you are a student, as others have said, universities are usually full of free services and referral options. Especially now with COVID making everyone a mess emotionally, those services have been fully supported and even expanded. If you are 20, are you able to be covered under a parent's insurance as a dependent while you are still in school? Many insurance companies consider you a dependent if you are full time student.

While it's easy to find people online to be friends with, I would probably stay away from social media. It's just a toxic place full of phony, judgmental people. And sitting in front of a computer probably won't relieve your sense of isolation. I would just try to physically be around people. Hang out at the library or the student union and just people watch. It will help you feel connected to the larger world around you. Do you have any hobbies? Even the most obscure interests have a club devoted to them. Model airplanes, coin collecting, pottery... whatever floats your boat, I am sure there is a club near you that you can join. While I won't discount therapy and medication, because I've used both with great success over the years, I've found that simple human interaction with people I can relate to does more for me than any of that. How about exercise? Exercise is great for mental health and doesn't cost anything. If your school has a gym, it's usually free and you could meet some new people. Depression and anxiety made me a recluse over the years, and my growing distaste for the average person only makes it worse. Like you, I was such an introvert, and I had already been working from home for nearly a decade. When COVID hit, it really didn't change my lifestyle. As a remote worker, I have to work extra hard to maintain friendships and relationships. Put things on your calendar to force you to make time to go out in the world and just engage other people. Sooner or later, those friendships and clubs and groups will start to form for you. It takes work and you have to find that ambition from within, but you are in the same place millions of others are and have been. You can do it.

[Nothingworking]

Hey Sarah,

When I'm feeling really alone I try and take a class like macrame or cooking. They are usually one to four sessions and something I can do on my own and still be with others. Yes they cost money but a lot less than a therapist.