It’s normal for us to feel alone sometimes. Although feeling alone and the often fear of abandonment is normal, it can take a toll on our mental health.
What Does It Mean to Feel Alone

Loneliness or feeling alone is a state where we feel sad and abandoned. It feels like a big void at times. Then, there is a constant feeling to fill it up, even if it is only enjoyed in that moment.
It usually causes mental distress like;
1. Depression
2. Anxiety
Feeling Alone in a Relationship

Singles are not the only ones that suffer from that stabbing feeling of being alone. People tend to feel alone in their relationships when expectations or a void needs to be filled, and their partners are probably not doing it for them.
Causes of Feeling Alone in a Relationship
Feeling alone in your relationship happens when under these circumstances. They are;
#1. Loss of Emotional Connection:
There once was a spark, but now the relationship is dull. Although it started with love, it seemed he/she was all you could ever need. However, those butterflies in your stomach have died off. This usually results in feeling alone in your relationship.
#2. Unhealthy Boundaries:
There are different kinds of boundaries people set to protect themselves in relationships. But when those boundaries in your relationship become unhealthy, your partner can detach themselves from you. When the restrictions become excessive, then they become unhealthy and selfish.
#3. Excessive Secrecy and Protectiveness:
The fear of vulnerability can be overwhelming. You can’t seem to let down your defensive mechanism around your partner.
To you, you are protecting your interest, but to your partner, there is constant emotional starvation in the relationship, which can lead to feeling alone. Secrecy, too; I understand everyone has certain restrictions and reservations. But when it becomes excessive, it’s a problem.
Depression and Feeling Alone
Depression is the state of feeling strong melancholy and despair. Loneliness and depression have certain similarities, especially when it comes to their symptoms, like;
#1. Self Doubt:
This is one of the major signs of depression. You don’t trust in yourself. It eventually results in anxiety.
#2. Restlessness:
Your emotions are always out of balance. The constant feeling of anxiety and imbalance causes restlessness and, eventually, depression
#3. Insomnia:
Insomnia is simply a lack of sleep. You start having a lot of late nights, not necessarily because of work or anything, but you can’t get your eyes shut.
#4. Loss of Appetite:
A lot of people going through depression lose their appetite for food. They sometimes tend to feel a lot of melancholy and pain without a specific origin, which causes appetite loss.
#5. Aches and Pains Both Psychological and Physiological:
Heartaches and pains (psychological) cause physiological problems, too. Acute depression makes you want to hurt yourself to feel more pain, assuming all the pain has a limit it gets to, that you don’t feel anything anymore.
But their differences are;
- Feeling alone is an emotional state that happens when you feel an emotional void, while depression is a mental illness. Unlike loneliness, depression does have a definite turn. That is, someone feeling lonely can recover if he/she gets the attention they need, but that is not the depression case.
- When someone is depressed, the person stays away from social interaction and communication. Even when spending time with friends or family, it feels socially awkward. But for someone feeling alone, he/she wants to mingle with anyone who can elevate their feeling and satisfy their emotional needs.
Feeling Alone in Life
When you start feeling alone, and it is not just because you are single or in an emotionally-deprived intimate relationship, then it becomes way deeper. But before you fill your void, you must first know its origin. Some of these are;
1. Mental illness like depression, anxiety, or bipolar
2. Lack of confidence amongst friends and family.
Steps on how to tackle loneliness

Step One: Know the source. This will require some meditation if necessary. There was a time in your life when you felt good. Try to answer the question, “What happened?”. Reflect on that and see what pops up in your head. If you already know the source, it makes it easier to tackle it.
Step Two: Do the opposite. Loneliness can proceed out of what you see and hear. For example, you watch way too many romance movies or read novels. You’re psyched about love and all that. It’s a good thing, but if it’s costing your mental health, you might want to switch that up. Watch more action movies, read more thrillers and mystery books.
Step Three: Get busy. Engage yourself with your hobbies, go out with friends, or pick a new hobby. Baking, for instance, will allow you to utilize time and meet new people in the same frenzy. You could also bake with your friends or your partner. It could serve as bonding time.
Step Four: Focus on yourself. Ask yourself this question. “Was I born to have an education, love someone, pay bills, and then die?”. There’s more potential to you than that. If you haven’t discovered, focus on yourself and seek to grow your talent and business. Aim big, and you’ll be too occupied to be alone with both work and people you’ll meet on the road of self-discovery.
Step Five: Happiness is the major key. Do what makes you happy. Be more open and connected to the sources of your happiness.
In conclusion, feeling alone is a regular human emotion. Figure out what causes yours and tackle it. Trust me, you’d be good as new.
What Causes Me to Feel Alone?
Situational circumstances such as physical isolation, relocation to a new location, and divorce can all contribute to loneliness. Loneliness can be exacerbated by the death of someone significant in one’s life. Internal problems such as low self-esteem can also contribute to loneliness.
What Does It Mean to Feel Alone?
Loneliness is defined as the sense of being alone and sad about it. Your loneliness may motivate you to stay at home and listen to dismal music, or it may motivate you to go out and meet new people. You can be alone–and relish every moment of it.
Is Feeling Alone a Disorder?
Loneliness, especially chronic loneliness, isn’t a mental health disorder in and of itself. Experts are becoming more aware of how loneliness can harm your physical and emotional health.
What Does Loneliness Feel Like Physically?
Physical symptoms of loneliness include insomnia, interrupted sleep, and other sleep-related disorders. Another indicator is sleeping excessively; when people are sad or lonely, they often sleep to block out their feelings.
Conclusion
Feeling alone is a common human experience that can be challenging but also an opportunity for self-reflection and growth. While loneliness can be painful, it serves as a reminder of our need for connection and support. By reaching out to others, engaging in meaningful activities, and practising self-care, we can overcome feelings of isolation. Understanding and addressing loneliness can lead to deeper relationships, greater self-awareness, and a stronger sense of belonging.