How To Deal With Loneliness When Living Alone

As I write this, I am sitting on a wooden chair in the apartment that I rent, and everything is so quiet. I can precisely isolate each sound. Cars passing by are a constant here. The clock ticking reminds me that time goes by, and I have only an hour to finish this before work. The fridge is buzzing, and I bet it’s the loneliest sound ever; you can hear it only when you are all alone.

I work from home, but I have two desks. To be precise, a desk and a kitchen table. I write from a kitchen table; it feels more cozy and casual, as I’d like my writing to be. Comforting and warm, like a scarf on a cold winter day. Or like someone who understands you and knows how to comfort you.

Living alone is a lonely feeling. Going to bed alone, returning home to an empty apartment, and navigating through daily routines without the presence of others create a profound sense of isolation.

Here are some tips on how to deal with loneliness when living alone.

Practical ways to beat loneliness if you live alone

Go outside every day, even if it’s just for a quick walk or run around the neighbourhood. Spending too much time alone in your apartment is unhealthy and will do nothing but make your loneliness worse.

Keep a to-do list. I try to maintain a good structure throughout the week to keep my mind distracted and to have a sense of routine.

Let the light in. I don’t have curtains. I like to let the light in, and usually, in the morning, I open the windows and observe the world while drinking coffee.

Get lost in a good book or TV show. Sometimes, I binge-watch comforting shows like Friends. It reminds me that somewhere outside, there are people who can become my best friends.

Invite friends over for no reason. Host a Netflix binge-night, play some video games, organise a small party, whatever you feel like doing. You’ll be surprised how many people also feel alone and would like to spend time with others.

Try eating out alone. It can feel awkward, but I am sure you will feel better after it and start enjoying it after some time. It’s also an opportunity to connect with people and start a new friendship. If you keep going back to your favourite coffee shop, the staff may start to recognize you, and you may recognize familiar faces and start a new friendship or relationship.

Make a dinner for yourself. Recently, I started cooking and preparing my meals. I used to buy food, but the smell of the food always makes home feel more like home. I am still a beginner, I can make only a few basic meals, but I am learning.

Despite everything, there’s a peculiar sense of freedom in this solitude. It’s a freedom that allows for personal space to organize my time and surroundings exactly as I desire. I can leave my apartment as clean or as dirty as I want to. I am not a huge fan of this, but with a good structure and routine, I find it easier to cope with loneliness.