Feeling unseen among other people can be emotionally tormenting. Loneliness silently devastates many and yet, people frequently confuse it with solitude, blurring the lines between the two. While they share traits, there are key differences that set them apart.
Loneliness is a feeling of emptiness resulting from a difference in our current social life and the one we expect. In loneliness, a person feels the emotional pain of not having someone to talk to or to spend time with, and feels socially excluded and abandoned — these feelings drain the person psychologically. Looking at loneliness from a health perspective, it has deteriorating effects such as stress, anxiety, and tension.
Meanwhile, solitude is defined as the feeling of joy in being alone. It is a constructive state of mind where one turns inward and works on their flaws. Solitude can also be stated as intentionally spending time alone. Some people make the choice of being by themselves because they find it peaceful, while others choose it for the benefit of allowing time and space for creativity.
I love being alone because it provides me with a serene environment to think and create something. Even for my academics, I prefer to be alone sitting in a calm place because it helps me focus on the work I am doing. Even so, I think that students can easily feel the gnawing sense of loneliness. It consumes the self-esteem of a person as they face constant self-doubt and question their worth in a social context. This series of negative thoughts can even lead a person into depression, something we shouldn’t take lightly.
Considering the dire effects loneliness can have, we should focus on overcoming this problem in our own lives. Here are a few recommendations to help with it:
- Socializing: One should prefer quality over quantity. For example, one 3 a.m. conversation with a friend you trust deeply beats 300 LinkedIn conversations. Connecting with people can be useful, and meeting people with similar hobbies can be amazing, as talking with them can help eradicate the negative effects caused by loneliness.
- Volunteering: Giving back creates dual benefits: you make an enormous difference while organically meeting compassionate people. Serving at community centres, animal shelters, or youth programs shifts your mindset from “who’s missing me?” to “who needs me?” — a powerful perspective change.
- Self-talk: Loneliness thrives when we adopt a negative mentality. To fight this, positive self-talk is a great tool through which you can talk about your daily achievements, manifest your future self, and plan your day ahead.
- Embrace solitude: We need to make time for ourselves, like scheduling a gym session or time off for a hobby. Dedicating time for ourselves can provide a space to evaluate our day and work on our improvements.
- Professional help: If loneliness persists even after putting in effort to overcome it, then I suggest reaching out to a professional for help. They are best equipped at managing these situations.
Loneliness and solitude represent two sides of the same coin — one involuntary, the other chosen. While loneliness drains us, solitude can recharge us when approached intentionally. The path forward lies in nurturing genuine connections, serving others, and reframing alone time as an opportunity rather than a burden. When these efforts fall short, seeking professional help is a wise choice.
In today’s world, where everything is at our fingertips, learners may struggle with loneliness, which can divert their focus from academic goals. UFV offers dedicated resources to support students, such as counselling services and the Student Support Centre. Beyond university, community tools like Here2Talk and Empower Me are also available. The goal is not to eliminate loneliness entirely, but to build resilience, transforming isolation into self-discovery and growth.
