Are you tired of feeling alone? Do you want to stop being lonely and put an end to social isolation? These five steps are a great way to get started.
1. Get out of your comfort zone
What’s holding you back from being more involved in your own life? What frightens you or gives you pause about starting new, meaningful relationships? Find out what’s in your way and then be willing to go through your comfort zone to the other side.
2. Build a bond
People who feel lonely or are socially isolated often feel as though they have no external bonds. So change that! You don’t have to instantly make friends. Instead, consider getting a pet or volunteering at your local shelter.
3. Find something that excites you
Maybe you’ve tried ways to get to know people in the past and they didn’t work out. But did you focus on things that interest you? For example, if you’re an avid reader, why not try a book club? Love to bake? Take a baking class. You’ll find the most rewarding relationships when you follow your own passions.
4. Focus on the social part of social media
We live in a world where there are many electronic ways to stay in touch with people yet they often feel less satisfying than picking up the phone and talking to someone one on one. This doesn’t mean you have to shirk social media altogether, but the next time you’re about to leave a comment with condolences or congratulations, why not contact the person directly instead?
5. Reach out to someone
Maybe there’s someone in your life you can talk to about how you feel or perhaps you want to call the professionals. At Thriveworks Counseling in Providence, RI, we have years of experience help people through these and other tough emotions. Your counselor will get to know you, your goals, and what’s standing in the way of them. Together you’ll come up with a treatment plan that will work with your specific strengths and weaknesses.
