Are you alone or lonely?

Lonely is not being alone. it’s the feeling that no one cares.

Have you ever felt lonely even when surrounded by people? Being alone and feeling lonely are two completely different worlds, though they sound similar. Being alone is quite natural if you live by yourself. Many times, people living with family or friends also crave solitude—to find themselves, set priorities, or simply breathe without interruptions. But loneliness is a strange and difficult state to handle, whether you are alone or with family.

Many of us have experienced lonely moments even while staying with family, hanging out with friends, or working with colleagues. Loneliness goes beyond those moments—it creates a hunger for attention, affection, and validation, making us seek ways to feel complete and enough. In such times, the number of people around us doesn’t matter. What matters most is the feeling of togetherness, comfort, and freedom to express oneself—these deeply influence how we feel inside.

How is this possible? How can someone feel lonely while surrounded by people? Loneliness is a complex human emotion. If unnoticed and unmanaged, it can harm mental health and overall well-being. It causes people to feel empty, unwanted, and disconnected. Lonely individuals often crave human contact but may not express it because they find it hard to connect due to their state of mind. This can lead to negative thoughts like “I’m not enough,” “I don’t deserve this,” or “I’m not productive.”

Prolonged self-pity, victimized thoughts, and anger against others could harm the mind and body, and may direct the person towards unwanted paths. Self-awareness and frequent introspection can help prevent these situations.

Having someone you can open up to and talk with can protect you from such messy situations. Often, ego gets in the way of sharing pain—but overcoming that is essential for healing.

Taking on more responsibilities or engaging in self-satisfying work may help to some extent. A change of place, new surroundings, hobbies, open conversations, writing, or reading that sparks new thoughts can also help overcome loneliness—if it’s not severe. Otherwise, seeking help from a counselor may be necessary to understand and feel better.

The current global situation has intensified loneliness for many, with fewer opportunities to go out, meet people, or explore new places. Being observant and mindful can help us protect ourselves and support those around us—making the world a little better.

—Anitha KC

Picture: Google Images