That Lonely Feeling

Who said you need to be alone to feel lonely?

The most painful, excruciating loneliness emerges when you are in a crowd of people. When you want to feel, but are numb. When you try to blend in, but jut out like an outsider.

And being in a close relationship is no guarantee against loneliness. If anything, it sharpens the feeling.

Together, but Lonely

How many times have you felt isolated within your own family? That you don't fit in? That no one really gets you? 

Modern families are fraught with isolation and loneliness, not in a small measure due to s0ocial media. When we are glued to our devices, who looks around? Maybe you shed a tear silently, or sigh in frustration. Who notices? With people chasing individual goals more than shared ones, each person is an island. 

And then there are identity issues, gender gaps, generational gaps.

Young people feel walled in their world of diminishing opportunities, shrinking friendships and fluid identity. How can parents understand them, they reason,  their issues are unique after all.

Older people have health problems, sundry psychological issues, the weight of advancing age. Loneliness comes on a platter to them, with others busy in their own lives.

Staying together in the same house doesn't translate to being together. Each one is an island assuming others don't understand them.

Parallel tracks never meeting.

Communication- Yes or No

We are talking lesser these days, interacting even less. Most exchanges within family is strictly functional. Monosyllabic answers meet attempts to ask questions. 

Yet, if there's anything that can reduce loneliness, it's reaching out. Keep interacting, keep communicating. Even if it feels like speaking to a wall.

Shutting out means faster descent into depression and isolation. Let's not go there....

#loneliness #isolation #familystrife #communication #family