Hello wonderful readers! I figured, with how often I hear people talking about the “Loneliness Epidemic” I would be remiss in not saying my piece.
I know there are generational differences. I come from the dreaded Gen-X. We started our lives in this world without the technology that the ones who came after had. We had to “chat” in IRL or over a large, stationary, phone. That said, the tech does not have to limit the ability you have to reach out to others. Reaching out is the cure to this epidemic that many bemoan. I will try to give you some ideas for reaching out.
The easiest is to join a group of similar people. There are many online communities that do plan IRL meetups. If you are an introvert, this can be scary. The trick is to pick the right group. Start with smaller groups to build up your tolerance for people. Do not prejudge any of them. If you are trying to meet up with a group that may have anxiety issues and introverted tendencies, you need to keep that in mind. Be gentle with them. Pick venues that are not going to disturb you or them.
Maybe you are prone to find things around you that are funny. This can make connecting with people much easier. Our world is filled with odd things that happen. Many of them are due to the odd people who are in the world we share. Many times, you can build a friendship quickly through sharing amusement with like-minded people who also see the absurdity of our world. This does not include mean-spirited remarks and bullying. Not taking even yourself too seriously is key here. If they find you to be amusing in and of yourself, they may be more likely to be drawn to you if you show that you have the internal strength to laugh at yourself.
Maybe you are a person with a curious nature. People love to talk about nothing more than themselves. Everyone has something to teach you. It may be through showing you EXACTLY how NOT to do something. I have a dear friend of several decades who is an absolute trainwreck in his relationships. I have a more recent friend who told me, in-depth, how he lost a house and $140,000 in an amicable divorce. Another friend found a bottle of Everclear that had a warning that said “Caution, seven shots can kill a man!” He intentionally took eight shots of the substance. These friends are valuable to me. Sometimes I take their advice and do the exact opposite. They are still good friends and great company.
No matter what method you choose, you will have to reach out to people. This can take you either to, or past the edge of your comfort zone, but the reward is worth the risk. Start small. Don’t be cruel. Find common ground. People are out there, lonely, waiting to have someone reach out to them.