There's an ENORMOUS difference between being alone and being lonely and these days I'm starting to understand it.
Let's make an example. I'm alone, right now, while I write this article in my empty bedroom. Being alone is a physical state; It's about the body, not the mind or the soul. And now, even if I'm alone, I'm not lonely (what a title reference!).
Being lonely is feeling like you're alone, worthless and nobody understands or loves you. You can feel lonely even in the middle of a very big crowd (especially in a very big crowd, might I add). You can even feel lonely with your friends, if they aren't the right friends.
These days it's way too easy to feel lonely, because we are all alone and horrible thoughts creep up on us.
And when they do, to who can we talk to, who can hug us and tell us everything is okay, if we're alone?
Well, I know it's difficult to remember this if we don't have it right under our nose, but you have a phone! Don't lie, you're reading this very article on it, I see you. And do you know what's in that phone? Your friends!
Let's make an example. I'm alone, right now, while I write this article in my empty bedroom. Being alone is a physical state; It's about the body, not the mind or the soul. And now, even if I'm alone, I'm not lonely (what a title reference!).
Being lonely is feeling like you're alone, worthless and nobody understands or loves you. You can feel lonely even in the middle of a very big crowd (especially in a very big crowd, might I add). You can even feel lonely with your friends, if they aren't the right friends.
These days it's way too easy to feel lonely, because we are all alone and horrible thoughts creep up on us.
And when they do, to who can we talk to, who can hug us and tell us everything is okay, if we're alone?
Well, I know it's difficult to remember this if we don't have it right under our nose, but you have a phone! Don't lie, you're reading this very article on it, I see you. And do you know what's in that phone? Your friends!
That's right, they're still there and, guess what? You can call them! And chat with them! And video chat with them! These days more than ever we need to talk to people, to avoid feeling lonely.
I know it aches so much to be apart from the people you love, the ones you always talk to, at school, at sport practice, at parties, hanging out in your city...
I must admit, I never thought I would miss them this much. But even in these troubled times, I discovered that my friends are the right friends and we're chatting more than ever and supporting each other, 'cause that's what friends do.
And now that I'm telling you this, you're probably thinking about your friends too. Maybe you feel lonely because you're alone and you forgot about your friends, being so caught up in your bad thoughts.
You know what? They probably feel the same way as you! They feel lonely, but you can help them! Send them a text, ask them how they feel, how they really feel. Talk to them like you did every day. Help them and they'll help you. They're there, you just need to find them.
You're alone, not lonely.
I know it aches so much to be apart from the people you love, the ones you always talk to, at school, at sport practice, at parties, hanging out in your city...
I must admit, I never thought I would miss them this much. But even in these troubled times, I discovered that my friends are the right friends and we're chatting more than ever and supporting each other, 'cause that's what friends do.
And now that I'm telling you this, you're probably thinking about your friends too. Maybe you feel lonely because you're alone and you forgot about your friends, being so caught up in your bad thoughts.
You know what? They probably feel the same way as you! They feel lonely, but you can help them! Send them a text, ask them how they feel, how they really feel. Talk to them like you did every day. Help them and they'll help you. They're there, you just need to find them.
You're alone, not lonely.
Credits
Illustrazione di Carlotta Forni