Coping with Loneliness

Well, after having lived in private houses for all of my 41 years, I moved into a co-op apartment last month. I felt so lonely that I actually had to cry to get it out of my system. I was no longer surrounded by my neighbors of 14 years. I could no longer look at the window to check on my truck. And the worst thing of all was having to deal with 1 million other people confined to a small box of space above, besides and under me. The loneliness passed after about two weeks. It’s a normal cycle that most people who move go through.

Good advice! I’ve dealt with this lonliness for much longet than two weeks, however, and I’ve found that what helps me the most is focusing on the world outside my apartment, as odd as it might sound. I look forward to my twice-weekly morning swim at the apt complex pool, which I started last week as an effort to combat my final exam stir-craziness.

Other little things I look forward to:
The Vietnamese lady who is the greeter at my local Wal-Mart, since she’s awesome! She knows my name, and the fact that I walk home with my groceries. Very rarely do you find somebody like that these days, so try to find these people.
Lunch with friends, once a week.
Thinking of decorating ideas - I’ve finally finished my somewhat modern living room, and am moving on to a Tolkien-themed bedroom.
My cat. A pet is great if you live alone, especially if they greet you as eagerly as mine does!

Big big do nots:
Do not depend on the Internet for socialization. It’ll let you down.
Do not go lax on the cleaning - you never know when somebody will drop by, whether it’s the exterminator or the Prize Patrol.
Do not get on the wrong side of your landperson/manager.

After 35 years of marriage I am about to be on my own. I am so thrilled that getting lonely never occurred to me. This article is a good heads up for me so maybe I can be prepared and not go through it too bad. I think Megan’s comments and suggestions are wonderful. My grown daughter lives in the same complex and we are best friends. I think I will do fine. Thanks for the advice.

My boyfriend and I share an apartment in a rather small town. He has a job that keeps him away from home during the week, leaving just the weekends for us to spend time together. Loneliness sinks in very deep when he is out of town, and it is almost scary how quiet it gets when its just me at home.

To keep my mind off of being alone, I usually just keep busy. Reading a book, checking emails, read the news/get caught up on whats happening in the world, and taking walks around the neighborhood usually does the trick. When all else fails I can clean!(lol) Its not so bad, I promise!