There are a lot of lonely people in the world.
But it seems to have been that way for generations.
It might seem surprising today because we have so much connection with others. Barriers to connection have nearly been eliminated with the Internet. Meaningful relationships can be formed.
Sure, lacking face-to-face interaction, as humans have done for generations, may take a backseat. But that might swing back around with the next generation. People generally want to be social.
But there is something to consider…
Being a loner doesn’t mean being lonely. It could mean that you value solitude. That you value time away from the world so you can be alone with your thoughts. Maybe just sitting on the porch with a cup of coffee. Watching the sun rise or set in the distance. Watching the animals scurry around the field.
Or maybe it’s taking the time to read. To learn. To ponder what you’re reading and think about how it might impact your life.
Solitude allows us the opportunity to connect with ourselves. To identify our strengths and weaknesses. To think about our values and what we want for ourselves in the future.
Is fear of missing out a real thing? Of course. It’s important to carve out time in our schedules to socialize with friends. To make new friends. To have conversations with new people. But perhaps not at the expense of spending time alone, in solitude. Where we can process the things going on in our lives.
I admire the loners. Those comfortable enough to step away from the crowd. Perhaps not all the time. But enough of the time. They seem to be comfortable with themselves. They compare, not to others, but to themselves.
Are you feeling lost in the world today?
Modeling yourself after a loner you know might offer a potential solution.