The silent everyday life of a lonely person
How is it possible to feel so alone when we are so united?
We live in a hyper-connected world. A world where our devices are connected to the internet, our tablets to gaming servers, and our souls to social media.
We live in a world where we think it's okay to let our children play unchecked on electronic devices and not on the street or in playgrounds, because those places are "dangerous."
Occasionally, I see people of all ages sitting alone on benches, on the street, in cafes and restaurants, enjoying their own company.
And I won't lie. I do it too. Either because I don't have company for that particular occasion, or because I wanted to go out alone. But really, why are we so lonely in the end?
I'm not going to sit here and write about social media, social alienation, estrangement, and all the things influencers say to make more money.
No.
I'll just tell you that we see homeless people and walk past them. People who are suffering and yet remain smiling, and instead of helping them, we laugh or remain indifferent. People who, instead of food and water, we give stigma and pain.
Yes, there are stereotypes, such as that some people may be more aggressive, that mentally ill people may become violent, and that homeless people may be more likely to steal or destroy property. But these are just stereotypes that society feeds. I'm not saying they're def not true, but they're definitely not a reason not to help.
We need to be accepting.
We need to accept what's different.
The unfamiliar. The unknown.
The things that cause stigma.
Because that's what really separates us from other people. Not skin color, race, eye color, or age. But the fact that they are different FROM US. From what we are used to.
You know, for a lonely person, everyday life is difficult. And often silent. They wait for a message. A reply. A phone call. A hug. A visit. Anything that can really lift their spirits. But most of the time, they never receive it.
Why? What can we do about it?
Connect!