Is lonliness a problem and what to do about it?

[lightbulb27]

We used to hang out on front porches, or around the dinner table... friends and family. We gathered in churches on weekends and attended events together. We'd date and marry by our early 20's at the latest. Our grandparents and parents were much better connected socially.

Now... society seems much more fragmented... socializing beyind a computer monitor. By the time we leave school, our social outlet is work and that's often not much. We need positive ways to connect with others.

In a world with 8 billion humans, we seem more disconnected in many ways.

The surgeon general seems to think it's a problem. Do you think it's a problem?

https://apnews.com/article/surgeon-general-loneliness-334450f7bb5a77e88d8085b178340e19

Yes it is for me

Yes it is for society

No

[sage2021]

Yes, it's a problem for society. You are so right - back in the day we were very social and had close knit families to share not only food with, but we enjoyed our visits together.

I think loneliness is so much worse than it was a few years ago. People don't go to churches for fear of being shot by a mass shooter - or getting carjacked and assaulted. It's safer to stay home.
A lot of lonely people are the last person in their family, because all the others have died.
As for what to do about it, I guess if you see someone that is always aline and looks sad, maybe you could befriend them.

[lightbulb27]

I feared that for myself. I'm youngest and for long time, I was alone. Maybe that's why I feel compassion for those that are left down and helpless.

[sage2021]

@lightbulb27
I was talking to this elderly lady in the waiting room at the doctor's. She said she lived in a mobile home in a mobile home park. Each time she left to go to the doctor, they would see her leave and break into her home and rob her. Still not sure if she was hinting for me to be a housesitter for her 🤷🏼‍♀️

[lightbulb27]

not sure, sounds factual as presented. sadly, humans can function like lower animals. those without resources and defense, can be predated by the lowest animal behavior.

[PizzaDaddyo]

The problem with Lionesses is that they do all the dirty work compared to their male counterparts. Lionesses work together, hunt all the food, raise the Cubs; they are the real protectors and providers of the pack! Lionesses are the real prideful heroes!


Lions are lousy stay-at-home dads! They are big for like nothing as they don’t hunt and have the women do it. All they do is sit in the shade all day, eat, and fuck! They don’t cooperate with other male lions and get jealous when another male is in the picture and will even kill a baby cub that’s a male to avoid a potential “treat”. A random male Lion can come up and fight an alpha king lion and if it kills the alpha the outsider is the new alpha.

[lightbulb27]

slight misread. "lonliness" not "lioness". e. g. being lonely... I spelled it wrong:)

[PizzaDaddyo]

Lol know I was a little tipsy when writing this and totally forgotten I posted this😅

[exitseven]

In my 20s I had quite a few friends. I worked out at a gym for years and the other guys there were my tribe. I had friends I grew up with and a few from college. Once I got married and had kids I got too busy for friends. Now that all my kids are grown I find I really don't have any friends anymore. During Covid I really felt isolated and that is how I ended up here

[lightbulb27]

Yes and it's hard to make new ones at this age.

[exitseven]

Thanks for the MHO😎

[DaisyM23]

i think, especially after covid, people have become much more jaded and individualistic, just for themselves and families - the world's just not what it was 10+ years ago and it'll just be getting worse

[lightbulb27]

we're all going to have to change it one person at a time.

[Adam1978]

It can be, depending on your personality but in the end it will always be one. It likely to shorten your life and even if isn't really your problem but having people dying alone and smelling up the place for weeks or months. Is far from optimal from a society aspect.

[TheSimFans]

I always find more harder to make friends since i bad experince more with being friends with some women through out college and i still find harder to get friends.

[lightbulb27]

yes, have to learn from that trauma so avoid it in future, then can make better friends. unfortunately, these do hurt and early life relaionships can be temporary and have issues. we may never know the truth either... have to let go.

[TheSimFans]

Yep, I did let some women and ex boyfriends, but they always seem like they can't get over me. One woman got mad and I kept rejecting her friendship and she tried to force a friendship that I kept saying. It happened because previous relationships and there were very drama style women that tried to tempt the guy to cheat and they were successful.

[Jltakk]

I was always alone. I never had the fortune of having a partner or a plus one. It was always me and the reality I interact with in a daily basis. I don't see my friends more than once every 6 months and at this stage I prefer it.

[lightbulb27]

no family contact? It can work, some people are loners and have their reasons.

[Jltakk]

unfortunately not since I still live with them. Just no contact with friends.

[lightbulb27]

it's your life. good friends are important

[OfMiceandMen]

Maybe for society, but not for me. I like my alone time, I am just that type of person. I tend to come back refreshed and positive when I have that time away from everyone.

[Nikki1989]

Everybody needs a social group to belong to. If you don't have one, it is up to you to go out and find it.

[WanderingLoveWizard]

Loneliness is a problem for everyone, but being alone isn't

[Anonymous]

Most people create thier own problem. Most people today are unpleasant and narcissistic. If this is a problem for them, only they can fix it. Turn off the computer and get out of the house and engage another human being. The sooner they understand life is not all about them the better off they'll be. If they don't want to do this and think it's somebody's job to rescue them? Then I have little to no sympathy for them.

[es20490446e]

Just get your ass out and talk to some people.