Hi.. to everyone....

I'm just curious on how everyone copes with being alone... I'm sure we all have certain things we do to keep the loneliness at Bay keep our minds off the fact that we are alone....like having the TV on for company... perhaps reading a book or even posting on here... maybe you go visit family and friends... I've never been really good at being alone by myself... I'm coming to realize that now...lol.. I was raised in a rather large family somebody always around to keep you company.... and in my marriage we had children.. and there was also the house to look after.. always things to do...but now.. I find with just myself to take care of... it sometimes gets hard to keep my mind off the fact that I am alone...
Not always! just sometimes.. those moments when there's no one to talk to or nothing good on TV... do you ever feel like Geez Louise I really need to meet some people or find somebody to date.... or develop some Hobbies... I'm sure most of us have been.. at this point at one time or another.. and some of you have moved past that feeling... of loneliness... does it ever go away?.. how do you cope with going it alone. ?

Get some cats. they are amusing. Or a dog.

Even better, get a kitten and a puppy, and watch them grow up together. Volunteer at the local animal shelter.

I feel alone sometimes. I have the tv or radio on a lot, but I'm also kind of a loner.I keep my radio on all night because I have a lot of trouble sleeping.

It helps to have a hobby.

Play on the internet, read books

Go out to places where you can meet people

You are talking about going to that place where I don't go anymore.
When I start heading there, I use my imagination and distract myself till I find myself on a different path.
Just like in a zoo you don't feed the animals, well, you don't feed the depression either.
There is always something better to do than to sit there and pine for things.

hello and wishing that you could get out of your depression. Have seen your posts on different threads. You may need to see a doctor and get some anti-depression med. But I find that I personally am my own best company.
I can go where I want and do what I want. CatinIdaho has a great answer, get a pet. --if you don't like animals, get a new hobby to work on in your spare time. Make the best of each day, many people die very very young. My oldest daughter died at 33. . I have been divorced and I realize you hurt, but keeping busy helps. We are responsible for finding the good in the time God gives and for helping the people we care about. It's not good to dwell on what might have been, you have to move forward in order to stay mentally and physically healthy. Good luck ....

Your post indicates, that you were "raised in
a rather large family".

If any of your large family is still around,
rebuild those connections.

No1phD, I've been there. You can drive yourself insane if you're not careful.
The fact that you are aware of it is an indication that you have the capacity to beat it.

You have to make an effort to set your thoughts to something else when you sense its coming. It doesn't matter what else you think about as long as you don't chase the rabbit.

When I first started getting a handle on it, I did a whole lot of cleaning and organizing. I went into intricate detailed mode and used my thoughts on the task I chose and that diversion, stopped the fall.

If you like music, try to make a list of your favorite songs from your collection and look up trivia on those songs or the artists.
If you like fishing, organize your gear, make a list of the ultimate tackle box and research the fishing holes near you and read about others that have fished there.

It doesn't matter what it is you use to divert those thoughts, the important thing is while you are diverted you are not chasing the rabbit.

I can tell you that with time and effort, it does get easier.

Work more so you can thrash your house with the limited spare time and have to reorganize and clean everything, evil cycle but it'll keep you busy.

The Op put up a common problem and asked for feedback on how posters THEY THEMSELVES might handle it..

and several posters playing amateur psychiatrist proceed to diagnose the Op and then provide their prognosis warnings of doom and best prescriptions of treatment..lol

I was actually serious about getting a cat or a dog.

Westy, I just read EVERYONE's post. Don't know what YOU are looking at, but each person told the OP how they handle being alone. No one here is a doctor or prescribing anything.... simply answering the question. Most of us have been in his shoes.

Huh??...

Develop a social life that includes places were people gather. Find out what you like and where you can interact with other people. Music, theater, sports, community events and so many more. My next 5 weeks includes some travel, 3 parades I'm in, 2 social balls, spring break parties, music, and dancing. Yes, sometimes I am lonely since I have not found a suitable partner but I have friends and social acquaintances that keep me busy. In fact, there are usually more things to do than time to do them!

You ave got that right

I once heard say that if you are feeling very lonely, stop paying all your bills for a few weeks. (Joke )

I Keep myself busy, more so since I retired, with all the usual chores, plus home improvements, hobbies, educational self improvement, travel and visiting family and friends, staying as active as possible.

Welcome back by the way.

I've been on my own for 20 years with the last short relationship 10 years ago. I spent time on the computer, doing jobs in and outside the house. Usually cook lunch a few days a week as it gives me time to watch TV shows I have recorded.. so I can zap out the ads.

Like Cat, I'm a bit of a loner but I would enjoy having a partner just the same. As you get older you don't need the stuff or do the things you did before which gives you more time to think about things and it nearly always get's back to thinking that you are alone, not necessarily lonely.

All great advise. I too am going to consider these points and apply some to my life. Thank you all for your empathy and insight.