Lonely Together

In a world with over 7 billion people, how can we feel lonely?

The word "lonely" is described as "sad from being apart from other people."

We are constantly surrounded and bombarded by people. If the definition of being lonely is being sad 'cause you're apart from people, then how can we truly consider ourselves lonely?

The problem is, we don't take the time to acknowledge those around us. Sure, we may encounter a hundred people throughout the day, but do we ever take a moment to look around and see that these are people? Just other, lonely souls, looking for their place in the world.

I've been seriously struggling with loneliness lately. My two best friends (the only people I really ever hang out with or talk to seriously) have been out of the country for almost two months. So, I'm on spring break this week and I honestly feel like I have no one to hang out with. Sure, there are other people around me. I have classmates and coworkers. Heck, I even see my parents pretty often (even though our schedules basically prevent us from ever hanging out). But these aren't people I really feel comfortable with. And I don't feel like I can just unload my burdens on them like I could with a life-long friend. Even with all these people around me, I've never felt so alone.

I think it's cause I'm pretty much an extrovert. Sure, I like working on my own and enjoy downtime, but I crave human interaction. I love relationships and friendships. The only problem is, I really dislike reaching out to people I'm not already close to. Because of that, I end up putting myself in a corner, feeling sorry for myself that no one wants to be around me, when I'm not even making an effort to talk to anyone. See, I've become lazy and self-pitiful. I think "Woe is me. No one loves me," and yet I'm expecting others to do all the work instead of actively seeking out relationships.

I think this is the problem with a lot of people today. We get so wrapped up in our little circle - our circle of friends, our circle of hobbies, our circle of comfort - that we fail to see how much we're missing! There are people out there craving to be noticed and loved. Just to feel like they matter in this world. It's time we opened our eyes and realized that we're hardly alone, myself included.

I feel so lonely, and yet there are people around me who care about me. I just need to reach out and let them in. And even the people I don't know: They maybe lonely too. I can't selfishly wish that everyone would reach out to me first. It's time to take initiative.

So take a moment to look around. See the people around you. You never know how deeply someone is hurting on the inside. A plastered smile can hide a world of darkness. I know; I've been there. You have no idea how much just a simple smile, hug, or acknowledgment can do.

Love those around you.

Stop feeling lonely when there are people out there who would embrace you in a heartbeat, if you let them.