Dealing With Loneliness

When your partner is no longer a part of your life, chances are that there will be many days- and many nights - when you feel the loss sharply, and you're lonely. Besides simply enduring the hurtful, empty feeling, what can do you do, to deal with loneliness?

• Get a pet, depending on your time and other responsibilities, get a cat or dog. Even a fish will lift your spirits. Having something that gives you unconditional love will help with the loneliness.
• If you have a trustworthy friend that you can talk to when you feel "down", give the friend a call.
• Volunteer. Share all that you have to offer. It will help the community and it will make you feel rewarded, as well.
• Recognize that the loneliness you experience will subside, with time.
• Get spiritual. Pray to whomever or whatever you believe in, to be strong, and to endure through the lonely times.
• Make new friends (and do new activities with them). To accomplish this, join different groups and activities, and "put yourself out there". A good friend is priceless, so be patient about meeting persons with whom you are compatible. It does seem to be harder to make new friends, once you are finished secondary school. Anticipate this, and be patient about making new friends.
• Have a few activities around the house that you can work on, when your children are sleeping, and you don't want to watch television or browse the internet. For example, join a book club so you are motivated to buy a book and read it! Start a scrapbook and set a deadline to finish it.
• If the lonely feeling stays with you during the day, fill your day with more activities to keep your mind and body occupied.
• If the lonely feeling plagues you at night, distract yourself with a favorite movie and prepare yourself a healthy "comfort snack".

If you're experiencing depression which is interfering with your ability to perform daily activities, consult with a professional.