Loneliness in a World That is Always Connected
As social media and social networking sites become more and more ubiquitous, we may expect ourselves to feel more connected to those around us. In reality, sometimes social media may actually touch on those painful feelings of being different, left out, or unattached. In a world that is always connected, how do we manage persistent feelings of loneliness?
First, give yourself some kindness. Understand that the link between loneliness and heavy social media use is common, and that your reactions and emotions have meaning. It’s not just you! At the same time, it may be helpful to wonder about your social media habits. What keeps you coming back?
Second, take some time to talk to yourself. Do you notice a pattern to these uncomfortable feelings? Maybe you feel more defeated after browsing pictures of your favorite influencer’s latest vacation. Or perhaps you notice that you feel more lonely after watching a coworker's Instagram story of a nice outing they shared with friends. Maybe you find yourself feeling alone after seeing a post that reminded you of a loved one. Whatever it may be, take note of it. What are these reactions trying to tell you? Oftentimes, when we experience uncomfortable emotions, we try to distract ourselves to avoid such feelings. While this is understandable, and sometimes even healthy, it may be just as important to take the time to really explore our internal experiences.
Third, switch things up. For example, instead of scrolling through endless posts as soon as you wake up, try slowly waking to the world by engaging your senses. Do you hear birds chirping, or cars whizzing by your window? How does your room look this morning? Do you feel well-rested today, or do you wish you had an extra two hours of sleep? You may feel a pull to your phone, and that is ok! This is not about radically changing your habits or feelings, but more about recognizing how these small changes make you feel.
Fourth, get some face-to-face time. While some social media use can certainly address our need to connect with faraway loved ones, it doesn’t always help us deepen our connection to those around us. Many people report feeling more connected to their close circle through in-person quality time. For those of us who may not be able to do so, it may still be helpful to engage with the physical world.
As always, it is important to understand ourselves and our emotional world. Loneliness can be very painful and complex. If it is an experience that significantly disrupts your functioning, reaching out to a mental health professional can be a good idea.
Schedule a confidential consultation today and take the first step toward deeper connection and mental well-being: HERE
Written by: Remenna Xu