THE SOLITUDE SERENA DE

Turning loneliness into harmony.

- Reema Bansal

Everyone has, at one or the other time, experienced loneliness. It is a very happiness-countering and lifereducing condition, both qualitatively and quantitatively. Human beings are social animals, and it is against our basic nature to be isolated. However, making a few changes in our days, in our routines, and making other conscious efforts in the right direction can convert loneliness to blissful solitude, and gaiety-filled companionships, and, even more desirably both.

First, let us have a look at various situations that can lead to / aggravate loneliness (The list might not be exhaustive but will give a broad picture):

Being confined to home due to disease and/or old age.

Being surrounded by people, yet not feeling understood or appreciated.

Lack of social skills.

Social media addiction - fools us into being occupied - at the cost of meaningful relationships.

Feeling too different from others to be accepted (e.g., disability, divorce, single parenthood, unemployment, etc.).

These reasons can be quite overlapping, as well. And one can lead to another, thus making loneliness a vicious cycle. Also, while we can freely mention our bodily pains and diseases freely, we can't publicly declare that we are lonely or aching at an internal/ mental level.

But, the brighter (though, tough to practise) aspect is that loneliness can be managed. Here are a few pointers:

Develop Hobbies