How do you combat loneliness?

I know exactly how you feel. Right now all of my friends are married. I am the only single one around it feels like. I dont know many people where I live, and therefore I am going to end up babysitting tommorow night for new years eve!! I am only 26, so while I feel like crying cause this is pathetic, I think this year I will try to go out and meet new people that are single like me!!

I know the feeling. I try and keep myself busy. I watch a lot of TV, write a lot, sew a lot... just try and keep myself occupied. I'm usually happy single, but the holidays make even the most self assured of us feel a bit down in the dumps. I also understand being shy of relationships - I'm in the same boat!

You don't have to be single to feel lonely, I am today as my hubby is working 12 hours today and it just seems like a long day to me. Having convos. with people does help and the time goes a bit quicker then. You can do lots of things without trying to find a relationship even by just talking to someone when you are out!

Gosh hon, you sound like me!...lol..Holidays can take a viscous toll on our emotions. I am 49 and single, and have been for years. Like you, I really love my life and my freedom, but sometimes I get lonely too. Definitely not enough to go out and grab someone, I too have made terrible choices and don't want to go through that again. But I find that just getting involved in something, even if it's cleaning out that room with all the boxes, going to a friend or a family members house and just trying to forget for a while...as long as i can take my mind off MY troubles for a little while, everything looks a little better ...i wish you luck, i know how hard it is.

Well, I"m pretty lonely myself, being single whereas everyone I know are in relationships... I have a health problem which keeps me from getting out much or drinking. Consider, if you think you need to have a romantic relationship, consider where you've been going for encounters, and why exactly your relationships haven't worked? Then, do it differently! However, a romantic relationship isn't always the answer. Call up some friends, make new ones, penpals--you could if you wanted to for whatever reason, for example, write to me, and I'd write back. Point is, learn to change your focus. Feeling lonely gets you stuck in being alone. Feeling (and expressing) happiness makes you attractive to others. Remember that.

well you really cant complain about being lonely if you fear a relationship with someone. the only way to not be lonely, the type of lonely that you are talking about, is to start a relationship with someone. i suggest to continue to get into relationships, even if they cause you pain, because either way the pain of loneliness is on the other side of the wall. i am just a youngin and have only had one relationship with someone, and the "break up" and after affect of it is pretty bad, but the fact that i am still young and hope to have many more relationships in my life keeps me wanting more.

I watch the Korean's and Japanese TV dramas or movies on yourtube. It is really fun. You can forget about your loneliness. Be happy!

Man do I know how you feel. I am the same, but my issues were to do with the past which I have or am sorting throu

well my advice for you is get out of the den n find someone on the same boat your on take a chance u cant expect the girl for you wuld fall on ur lap out of the blue are you...as for the dumping part well jus learn from the mistakes (not implicating its your fault)...GO 2 a Club/ or some place YOU like and find a girl of same interest...how hard can tat be...jus DONT DRIVE DRUNK....

Try to get a pet to take care of so you will know that you aare never alone...

Try to figure out why your relationships end up in pain and suffering. Are you making the wrong choices? You say that you are fine with being single. That's great. Being single is no reason to feel lonely. To me, feeling lonely is only a state of mind. I have been single for over 15 years and have had few relationships over that time. But, that is my fault because I didn't have much confidence in finding someone. Now I have changed my thinking and expectations. I think if you figure out what kind of person you want to meet or have a relationship with, that will help you. Or, maybe decide once and for all what you don't want in a relationship. Seeing yourself in the kind of relationship you desire is a positive action you can take. If you continue to see your relationships all ending in flames, that is how they will end. Think about having a positve relationship exactly the way you might want it to work out. You just might attract that kind of person into your life. I believe you can decide on the kind of life you want and then go about creating it either way...single or in a relationship.

yeah..i know how it feels. i myself is alone and lonely right now..christmas..new year..just when you're suppose to be with someone you can cuddle to..but then again, this is life for us i guess..my long-time partner have just dumped me after ten long years of being together..so i guess i am in a more terrible shape than you are right now..still, just the mere fact that i am alive and well gives me nothing but more strentgh. this is how i get by..talking to stangers..trying to help..trying to cheer them up in a way..don't be afraid to fall in love again my friend..never mind the pain..it's part of it..

well you dont necessarily have to be in a relationship to fight away loneliness.You can get mental satisfaction and happiness by engaging youself into many other things for ex . when ever u feel lonely just take a break from whatever you are doing and go out from wherever your are. Take a walk somewhere where you can feel and inhale the fresh air and then observe the beauty of God arund you.Try to feel the pleasure this beauty provides.Contemplate in good thoughts like fond memories of past or exotic dreams for future and think about how would u go accomplishing those dreams and wishes that you have always wanted to get if you ever get a chance to do so.This simple way you would employ your mind in better stuff then depressing loneliness thoughts meanwhile you are also engaged in a physical exercise as well. Also you gan go out eat icecream and choclates.They always make you feel light and happy.Go to a park, watch kids play.Go to a cinema or rent a funny movie. If you are at home then just lay down on the couch with a packet of popcorn and enjoy the funny flick you bought. You can also go out and help some one in need in any way you can because you know helping any person really brings great contentment to your heart while it would also deviate your mind and heart from any otherwise thoughts whatsoever. You can also pray when you feel lonely as friendship with God can make you a better person in and out and would always keep you happy and satisfied in this world and the world hereafter too.

You need ot get out and do things for you. Like attracts like so if you are focusing on how lonely you are you will only attract more of the same. You need to focus on how happ you are with you and others will be attracted to you that also are happy with you. The law of attraction really does work.

You should not give up in finding your soulmate. It will happen when you least expect it. Just make sure you are getting out of your house and going to places where you can possibly meet that special someone. I am 36 and just started dating someone myself. I used to have the same fears as you. Do you have friends that know someone that is single and looking? Maybe they can help you find someone.

Perhaps around the holidays you could take a vacation or cruise for singles. Try to find activities that will keep you busy doing things you enjoy such as hobbies, sports, travel, etc. Plan and have a get together for your single friends or a combination of your friends who are single and the couples you know. Happy New Year!

Hey, i know exactly what your saying. im 24 but most of my friends are starting having family of their own. for me, i havent yet seen myself settling down and have kids...those things never really crossed my mind. but somehow sometimes i do think of a possibility of the coldness of never having a family of my own. but...loneliness..hmm...i think i'll adopt some pets. lol.

WELL i would carry myself a book or novel to overcome loneliness! also my mobile acts as a friend in lonely situations

Although I am in a relationship right now I constantly feel as if I am alone, cause he is always working and when he isn't working he is sleeping. So I have found that taking up hobbies that I really enjoy helps me take my mind off the loneliness. Find things that make you happy, and don't dwell on the fact that you don't have the significant other in your life right now. They will eventually come into your life. I know it's hard, but I find thinking more about the positive things in life, they will eventually outweigh anything you deem negative in your life.

I too went thru several heartbreaking relationships in the past. On hindsight I believe they didn't work out because I wasn't able to see things from a more mature kind of view. Also I was suffering from severe depression and I suffer from nervous breakdown easily because I couldn't take the stress. Perhaps for me, it is better to be alone and well.