What do you do when you're lonely?

[Rainbowmum]

Spending more time with my pets works for me.
Just being outdoors cheers me up.

[LateBloomer]

I like to cook.
I like to watch movies.
I like to read books.
I like to go for walks/hikes.
And before gas got too expensive I like to go for a drive.
Listen to music, etc...

[Roman]

Absolutely nothing, thinking of something to do, AKA the classic boredom.

[matthew91]

I like to express the way I'm feeling almost like throwing the emotion out. So I find a song about or similar to the situation or mood I'm in and play it on guitar/sing it. Helps a lot.

[Rawr]

I think a generally just listen to music.

[Geminize]

Like others here, I love to listen to music for many different moods. Sometimes I listen to sad music when I'm sad to help me feel it, sometimes happy music to shift the energy. Art projects are great, even if you aren't an artist. I used to make collages from magazine clippings, using pictures and words. Sometimes I would be surprised by the results, totally unintended by my conscious mind. I also force myself out of my house so I have to interact with other people. Even if it's just the grocery store or a library, that's better than wallowing in loneliness at home.

Like you, I sometimes drink. Rarely to excess, but sometimes to a dull numbness. I don't judge myself for it, just notice it and how it makes me feel (or not feel). Sometimes I give it up for a week or more, just so I know I can. Hang in there!

[Lilitu]

Usually when I'm alone I get really immersed in a book or movie or TV series, any fictional world.

It sort of gives the sense that you're really part of something and there are people around you.

Or else, I would get a cat, isn't the cure to loneliness and sadness said to be 'get more cats'

[Nick9]

I keep posting pictures in the cuddle thread...

[Counselor]

I listen to music whether I'm lonely or not, what changes is the type of music. I like what they've been calling "moombahcore" for when I want that driving, aggressive attitude, DnB for when I need to pick up my pace, and soundtrack scores from horror movies when I'm driving in the fog. I know that sounds creepy, but the music is actually pretty sometimes.

[Bowyn Aerrow]

I rarely get lonely. I like to be alone, have no problem with Me, Myself and I.

I go on long walks in the woods or on the beach or find other interesting things to do. Like have long conversations with myself....:eek: :biggrin:

But then I have time consuming hobbies and interests. I used to make things with my hands before the computer Era, with the computer I found interesting things to pass time with, such as using Googles Sketch-up to make models of things that I can't afford to make in real life like houses, the RV retrofit, space ships....

I have tried on many things, such as using long pine needles from my Pondarosa Pine tree to make baskets and trivets/coasters. I have my garden/yard to entertain me. If I get excessively bored I dig out a new koi pond. For the record I have 4 koi ponds.... :eek:

I think half the problem with people who are lonely is that they are uncomfortable with themselves. Getting to like yourself can be a big step toward turning lonely into just being alone.

So if you have any 'issues' you might want to start working on those and getting yourself to the point where you can enjoy being around you without feeling like you need someone else to make you happy.

Happiness is something we can give ourselves - some of us do have to work real hard to do that.