We often associate loneliness with being alone.
You are lonely because you are alone. There are people who are not used to being alone. They need others to feel energized and to keep them happy. Otherwise they feel bored, depressed and lonely. They don’t know what to do with their solitary existence.
No man/woman is an island. That’s what they have been told. The worst punishment for most prisoners is solitary confinement.
It’s indeed difficult to be alone when you are an extrovert. The older you get the more you will be alone. Everyone is gone. You are on your own. Are you condemned to loneliness for the rest of your life?
You either have get used to loneliness – learn to be lonely – or enjoy solitude.
The first thing we need to realize is that being alone and loneliness is not necessarily the same.
You can be in the midst of people all the time and yet feel lonely. You can be alone but never feel lonely.
The blessing of being an introvert is that you are energized by being alone – spending your time reading, reflecting, meditating, writing, going out for long runs or walks or biking, cooking your meals and eating alone. Silence and solitude are necessary for creativity. There is nothing wrong with being independent and self-sufficient. Self-care is better than depending on a care-giver. But this requires maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
This does not mean being anti-social. You can be in touch with friends and family from time to time in person or through the internet and social media.
So it is not about learning to be lonely but learning to be alone and enjoy it. Solitude is a blessing. Ultimately you are never alone as you become more aware of the Divine Presence. Having a dog helps.
