I feel so lonely

We can add lethargy to that list. You don't say how old you are.

To your question at the end, maybe it’s a bit of both. Lockdown has emphasised everything that we’ve got wrong with society....and the world. That even subconscious awareness can be so depressing. But giving up and not having time for yourself is perhaps saying that you don’t have much self compassion at the moment. And so you’re stuck. I wonder if you could be kinder to yourself and consider each day, even a small thing that might make you feel a little more content. It’s often from taking small steps that eventually bigger changes occur. Perhaps it feels insurmountably huge-take baby steps. There are small pleasures in life to be had-always-we just don’t always see them.?

To Singleton for your original post and all of the responses, thank you. This thread demonstrates GN at its best. A thoughtful, deeply personal discussion with so many lovely, warm, supportive and very wise responses. Bouquets to everyone. ?

Oh Singleton, I'm with you! I will try to reach out to you through cyber space. Lockdown heightens everything: loneliness and anxieties swirling around.
Bradford Lass always gives good advice so I'll leave that to her, and meanwhile I'll send you hugs, flowers, cups of tea, a Fortnum's hamper, lots of lovely books and a chocolate mountain. x

Lots of good advice here which I can’t add to - but be proud of yourself for raising independent daughters.

I've been out of lockdown for a good month now in France
and life has returned to an acceptable normal but when
I think of that confinement and even the remotest possibility
of ever returning to it I feel distraught. My sympathy to
anyone suffering because of it

Loneliness is horrible and I feel for you. I too sometimes feel lonely and I live with my husband but he’s still working and I’m not so I sometimes feel there’s nothing in my life even though I too have two grown up children. It’s so true what BradfordLass73 says about it running in cycles - it does. I hope this feeling has lifted for you and you are feeling better xx

I’m sorry you fell so lonely, do you have any hobbies like sewing or knitting etc it might help . How do you feel about having a dog, I don’t have a dog but when I used to look after my daughter’s dog and took him for a daily walk around the park I made friends as some people like to stop and have a chat.good luck

BradfordLass that was a wonderful reply for the OP. There does seem to be a pattern to feelings of loneliness once you get older. And yes, Lockdown has exacerbated these feelings. As you say, the main thing is to recognise that these feelings are going to come along and keep hold of the knowledge and belief that "this too shall pass" each time the black cloud descends. I always find that going outside helps - even just into the garden if you have one. Moving helps you to think of things other than your loneliness for a few minutes. It also helps not to let yourself get bogged down looking ahead to the future. Just concentrate on getting through the next hour. Or even just the present moment. And also force yourself to feel gratitude for the good things you have. These things really do help.

I think it’s the uncertainty of everything at the moment, Singleton. Hang on in there - things can only get better.

I was widowed 20 years ago and loneliness comes to visit now and again.

I try to distract myself when it arrives. Coming on Gransnet has helped, but as others have said getting outside for a walk can improve mood. I think about the good things in my life too.

I know the feeling will pass so tell myself this.

Sending and hope you feel better soon.

It must be so depressing to feel lonely. I spend a lot of time on my own, but am thankful that loneliness rarely bothers me. I keep busy with various activities, and try to get out of the house at least once a day. A walk in the fresh air, or even a wander around the local supermarket can lift my mood, especially if it involves buying a tasty treat!

You don't need to have your own dog as a bridge to making friends. When out walking I often have a good chat to people just by admiring THEIR dog. Only yesterday I chatted and walked around our local country park, with an elderly lady, for about an hour. She had a Shi Tzu with her. Just remarking that my daughter has two of the same breed was enough to trigger a conversation. She lives alone, and I think it did her a lot of good, too, to chat to someone.

I feel lonely too. I only have one sister and we are so different and find it hard spending time together without annoying each other. I am divorced 10 years and don't want another relationship, we never had children. My friends are all married and have their on families and through lockdown I heard very little from them. I feel very sad at times and think is this it? TV, reading, gardening, I do it all, but some of the lockdown days just drag in and I don't hear from anyone and then I feel a nuisance phoning my friends if they are busy with grandkids etc. Oh I don't know, maybe when lockdown life gets easier I might cheer up a little.

I am alone but not lonely. However I'm feeling unusually discontented/frustrated and I have no doubt it's due to lockdown. My total quality of life is usually taken up by socialising with friends and family and I miss that hugely. I am lucky enough to have a garden and pleasant countryside walks available but telephone calls and zoom-like stuff are no substitute. However, this confounded invisible enemy is undoubtedly still around, so we must soldier on. Each Government relax makes it a little better for some of us. Our turn will come......

Sometimes loneliness and worry is just life, not lockdown. We have to carry on and smile for adults and children because we try to stay strong so they don't worry about us. It's not easy.

I read it's called the 'coronacoaster'- the ups and downs of the pandemic.

I have been widowed for over 7 years, I am alone but never lonely. my DD & I message on facebook every day, I ring my DM 6 days a week, DD does 1 day to give me a break, sounds awful but DM is 91 (she lives 300 miles away so no chance of visiting) but hearing the same news every day is hard work. DM is not short of visitors so she never has a day without seeing some-one.

Since we were allowed a family bubble I go to see DD & DGSs once a week. I have lovely neighbours & chat over the garden fence. I also have a male friend who rings me every day.

I do miss my social life & am reluctant to visit beach or Dartmoor due to the amount of visitors/people around. I have been busy decorating, love reading, doing crosswords & sudoku.

What I have found is that my sleep patterns have changed, my eating habits have changed & I feel lethargic in the afternoons

Legs, totally concur on the eating and sleeping. No structure at all with these for me nowadays. Happily I seem to have moved into a healthier diet. Not planned but coincidence. I guess that's another plus. I take them where I can!!

I lost my husband last August so was feeling lonely and lost going into lockdown. Grieving alone is the worst feeling. I couldn’t have a reassuring hug though my family were constantly in touch texting or FaceTime but it’s not the same. Now I am in a bubble with my daughter and her family it’s a lot better but I still feel I’m fighting this alone.