Here are some common myths about loneliness: if you're lonely, it's because...
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You live alone
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You're single
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You're older
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You have poor social skills
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You're introverted
The science of loneliness, spearheaded by John Cacioppo, tells us these myths are incorrect.
Loneliness is a state of being that arises in tandem with real-life challenges.
If you're lonely, you're probably going through something hard. You're dealing with medical problems, struggling with your mental health, unemployed, navigating relationship problems, or anything else that's difficult.
Lonely people feel like no one is ‘in it’ with them and that they are facing these struggles alone.
That's why all of us have a collective responsibility to take on loneliness as a problem. The solution is to care for one another. (By the way, that's also where your personal happiness lies, too.)
Today, try this:
Think about someone you love who is having a tough time.
Reach out to them. Check in with them. Ask them about the challenge in their life. Proactively offer help. If you're not sure what to do, think about what you would want in this situation.
We can build bridges that support one another.