Feeling isolated? Lonely? Don’t worry, you’re not alone.

Loneliness can sometimes feel like an insurmountable obstacle in our lives, but with the right steps, we can move towards forming meaningful relationships with ourselves. In doing so, we develop the ability to have more healthy and meaningful relationships with others – but getting there is easier said than done.

It's important to remember that it's a common human experience. Whether you’re deprived of a relationship, fresh out of one, or even still in one, loneliness doesn't discriminate. It can strike anyone, at any time.

The good news is, you don't have to feel this way forever. There are many strategies to combat these feelings and foster a new and stronger relationship with yourself and those most important in your life.

Here are five ways you can get started:

Explore Your Interests Outside of Relationships

Finding an activity that you love can be an excellent way to meet like-minded individuals and build relationships. Moreover, it’s a great opportunity to work your way into becoming comfortable with yourself – or perhaps reintroducing yourself to… yourself. This is especially important if you’re just getting out of a relationship, or if you’re just trying to adjust to not being in one.

You might consider picking up a hobby you’ve been putting off, or maybe just something you've always wanted to try, like photography, cooking, or hiking. Engaging in hobbies not only helps keep your mind occupied, but it can also broaden your social circle with people who share your interests.

Strengthen Existing Relationships

Sometimes, loneliness can stem from feeling disconnected from the people around us, which is why you should take every opportunity to reach out and reconnect.

Loneliness provides a lot of free time, so why not spend it with friends, family members, or even coworkers? Rekindling those relationships can be a powerful antidote to loneliness, as well as boosting your mental health overall. Even if it’s only one person, it's the quality of relationships that matters, not the quantity!

Practice Mindfulness and Self-Care

There’s never a more important time to take care of yourself than when you’re suffering from loneliness. Practice mindfulness and spend time doing things that make you happy and help you relax. It could be reading a book, taking a bath, meditating, or anything that works for you personally.

Practicing mindfulness can help you stay in the present moment and reduce feelings of anxiety and loneliness. Meanwhile, keeping up with self-maintenance like exercise and hygiene is imperative for both mental and physical well-being. It can be a difficult thing to do in such times, but that’s why it’s all the more important to commit to it.

Seek Professional Help

If your feelings of loneliness persist, it may be a good idea to seek professional help. Therapists and counselors are trained to help you navigate your emotions and develop strategies to combat loneliness. There's no shame in seeking help, and it could be the first step toward feeling better.

Luckily, we no longer live in an age where you have to make the commitment of motivating yourself out of the house and down to the therapist's office anymore. There’s tons of alternatives out there, from video call appointments to apps that are specially designed to provide professional therapy at your convenience. Such apps include clarity, which offers an amazing array of expert courses, as well as a 24/7 Hotline to help you day or night.

Join a Community That Cares

Finding the right community for you is a fantastic way to meet people and form relationships. It could be anything from a book club to a volunteer organization. Communities not only offer companionship but can also provide a deep sense of belonging that is key to overcoming loneliness.

The Clarity app provides one such community. Whether you’re having relationship problems or struggling with loneliness, Clarity offers not only expert advice, but also a forum of friendly, like-minded people to lend you a compassionate ear when you need it.

Regardless of how you chose to do so, overcoming loneliness is a journey that involves self-reflection, reaching out to others, and seeking help when needed. It's about forming and nurturing relationships, both with others and within yourself.
Remember, it's okay to feel lonely sometimes. But if you're feeling this way often, know that there are ways to overcome it, and there is always support just around the corner. You're not alone, and Clarity is here to help.

Check out Clarity in the App Store / Google Play today, or for more information visit https://clarityapp.io/.