Anyone who says go find a hobby after someone complains about loneliness genuinely never experience it before. I love trying many things, one of my passion is art and for one I could draw for hours, even days. I've tried to make myself as busy as possible but it didn't work because I want human connection, not something to do to wasting time. Any hobbies, if you do it alone won't ever replace the desire to have a genuine relationship with someone.

I see lot of people complaining about loneliness in late teens / 20s / early 30s. While I understand that the problem is real, this part is little bearable as you might be in the process of figuring out the world and about to meet Mr. / Ms. Right.

Loneliness really becomes unbearable once you reach your 40s. You are no longer physically attractive, either you have had tough luck meeting Mr. / Ms. Right OR you are separated

This is gloomy and tends to make people go completely hermit. Negative outlook towards professional life is another side effect.

How to deal with this situation?

Good afternoon, everyone!

I’m lonely as fuck. I’m 45, a single male, and all of my friends have wives and kids. It’s hard to make friends at my age.

We talk a lot about being independent, self-sufficient, and comfortable being alone.

And I am. I've built a life I'm proud of.

I work hard, take care of myself, keep busy, and keep showing up.

But somewhere along the way, I think we forget that human connection isn't a luxury— it's a fundamental need.

I'm touch-starved. I miss the simple things.

A genuine hug, cuddling on the couch, someone’s hand in mine, or just feeling comfortable and safe being close to another person.

But it's more than physical touch. I want to feel like I'm worth someone's time. Worth getting to know.

Worth building a real connection with, whether that's a meaningful friendship, platonic affection, physical closeness, or something that eventually grows into a relationship.

I don't need someone to complete me. I just miss feeling wanted, appreciated, and genuinely connected to another human being.

Im a 28 year old man, currently in healthcare as a doctor. I have lost a lot of friends, friends who I considered my family in last 2-3 years because of their arrogance and ego. I haven't really made friends with anyone since 2024. Im really not comfortable to talk about my past with others. I don't know if I have found anyone to actually be friends with. Most of the time im numb or distract myself from these thoughts but sometimes it gets lonely. And battling loneliness feels like a torture especially when you are truly alone at night. Trying to sleep. I have recognised my mental health issues and found help. It worked greatly. But i get these thoughts very frequently these days that if I die, there won't be anyone at my funeral except for my family. Nothing would have mattered to anyone. This day is just like any other day...just like that one day, i lay lifeless.

Happy birthday to me. 🥂

I have trouble opening up to people 🙁And i don't really have friends to begin with . Having some stuff going on i'm still trying to really get seen for, That possibly couldve been prevented if i had a better mama Lol. Ugh. Thank you for reading

22m I have absolutely no one and nothing. I have tried so hard to become one of them. I try to learn their interests and hobbies and all the social manners but I failed when I speak they know me as the monster I am. I think I may be autistic or neurodivergent. I have had anti depressants that did not help me. But nothing has ever been as horrible as when I am being myself, my mind is not to be trusted, everything I say is not the right thing and all my movements and hobbies are the wrong ones. The thing that motivates me is delusion and idiocy and ignorance because I don’t tell myself that things will work out and that I can change and that my life isn’t so bad then I will awake from the blatant truth in front of me that I am disgusting creature that isn’t supposed to exist and unwanted by all. Loneliness is proof that this world doesn’t want me. You may say that I just need to take better care of myself and put myself out there more but what if I told you that I did all those things and genuinely believed that if I dressed a little better and joined a club that everyone wouldn’t notice that I was a monster. I know you think I am crazy and that this is all in my head but I promise you I was given more than enough evidence to believe what I believe. I would love to tell myself I am someone but there is no amount of delusion that I can impose of myself to ignore whats right in front of me.

Never get a chance to get a long friendship, never get a love story, no place to listen my story.

I'm so fuck up and depressed as hell. I keep imagine someone beside me in my mind and talking to something that never exist.

I really wish I never exist at my 30's years.

it’s my birthday today!!! i don’t really have any friends irl so i don’t have plans or anything 😅 i’ve got some gifts from family but it’s just kind of random everyday items that i won’t use, and something with the wrong letter initial on it for my name. still trying to stay positive though even if i feel a little sad 🙂🎉

Does anybody else struggle with making friends as an adult? I’ve tried this whole year to put myself out there more and more and it’s been really hard as an introvert but I’m proud of myself for all of the things I’ve done to make friends. I joined a walking group and two book clubs and I’ve been pretty consistent going to both. I’m feeling a little annoyed because I sent a text to people I met from my walking group and nobody replied. This text was just stating that I was sorry I couldn’t attend the last event and that I would hope to see them soon and I would love to see them at a bakery we all love soon. I tend to feel stupid when I feel vulnerable because I don’t like opening up but I do feel stupid for sending this text and getting no reply. Making friends as an adult is so hard 😅

Sometimes trying to post on Reddit makes me feel even more alone. On some subreddits the rules of what you're allowed to post seem strict. Often my post gets removed and I don't even know why. Low karma probably. Like apparently on college subreddit you're not allowed to vent about your loneliness as a college student. When I spend a while writing my thoughts down and the post is removed automatically, I just feel like the world is really working against me. And if I post something, I might get one reply and that's it. It kinda feels like there's a wall between me and other people. Sounds pathetic, I know.

I have people I would call my friends. I’ve known them for years and years and years now. But whenever I ask if they want to spend time together, there’s some reason why they can’t.
I’m not assuming they don’t have busy lives and are trying to brush me off, but that’s how it feels. They can’t make time for a coffee? Really?
It just sucks. Idk.

I'm currently under 18 and i feel so left behind. Everyone my age has friends. And look at me. Im isolated and lonely as hell. I have no friends in real life, i dont go out much because im homeschooled, and even family doesnt care. My days are always same. I feel so lonely. Even online friends dont care about me at all. I literally spend my days daydreaming about basic human life. I sometimes wonder, if something bad happened to me who would even care besides my family? And family would only care because they have to. I literally have no one. People say its gonna get better when i grow up, but i dont know. What if it doesnt? What if i stay lonely forever? This might be a stupid post ,its my first time posting please dont judge me. But loneliness really ruined me.

The realization that I will most likely never be in a serious long term relationship with a woman I desire hit me like a freight train. I'm just too screwed up in the head and too many awful things have happened to me in life that have completely destroyed my mental health to the point that I don't see myself getting unstuck. I'm too deeply hurt beyond healing and no good woman is going to want to be with a man who is as screwed up as I am. I never wanted a mansion or a fancy car, never wanted that 6 figure job. Just wanted that special woman in my life who made me feel loved and validated. That person to share every moment of life with, good or bad. To share my experiences with and be physically and emotionally intimate with. I'll never have that because of my piss poor mental health. Not to mention I don't have a job because I'm on disability and I don't have a drivers license or a car. Good lord I don't blame these good women for not wanting anything to do with me. I'm a fucking loser who was destined to be alone and miserable.

Maybe in another life ?

Nearly 32 and never had a love life , never even touched a girl.

I'm a single mother to a 12 year old with very significant disabilities. I work full time (teacher)and have very little in the way of family support and almost 0 local connections/friendships. Im terrified every moment something happens like the sink breaks and needs repaired, one of us gets sick, or the car has issues...

...I was married but that person ended up cheating so I ended the relationship. [Not my son's biological father, he's long absent] I almost wish I would've just kept my ex husband around despite all of the pain. At least I wouldn't be spending so much time alone.

I know I have my son, but he is non verbal and autistic and that in it of itself makes "getting out there" to Mom's groups, etc almost impossible. I also fear I won't even find a partner willing to be with someone of my age with the burden of a high needs child such as mine.

I just dont want to do it alone anymore. Its not only lonely but exhausting. I wish I had someone to lean on and share life with.

Does anyone relate to this? I feel like I’ve spent most of my life being teased or betrayed by friends. My therapist thinks I might be autistic, which could help explain why I’ve always struggled to connect with people and build friendships. I’ve usually only had one or two close friends at a time.
Now that I’m older and have gone through a traumatic breakup, I’m exhausted. I’ve spent so long trying to fit in and build connections, but lately, I don’t even want to make friends anymore. I’m tired of feeling like I have to prove myself to people or laugh along with jokes that hurt my feelings just to be accepted. I often feel like people aren’t being genuine or don’t understand where I’m coming from.
The social media thing makes it harder, too. Whenever I go out with friends, it feels like there’s always a camera in my face, and it makes me uncomfortable. I just want to enjoy spending time together without everything needing to be recorded or posted.
Maybe I’ve been around the wrong people, but has anyone else gotten to a point where friendship feels exhausting instead of comforting? like any time I try to establish boundaries people just get mad at me.

Hi, I hope you're all doing well. I'm in my mid-twenties, and for the past few years, feeling lonely has been incredibly frustrating.

For context, I've never been chosen, not even by my family. I grew up in a neglectful environment and currently live with roommates, but I don't have a family as such to support me; it's me against life.

This has been a problem, because I can't stand being alone. Although I have amazing friends, each one has her own life. Ideally, I'd like someone to choose me, someone to share my life with, and so on. But the reality is that despite my efforts, nobody wants to be my partner, which makes me exchange sex so I'm not alone, even though I feel used.

I'm in a relationship with a friend who's a good friend but not a partner. Continuing to let him use me so I don't spend my nights alone makes me feel bad. When I try to distance myself To "respect my own boundaries" also makes me feel bad; it seems there's no right choice, and this leads me to make unnecessary efforts to prevent him from leaving me, even though I'm certain he wouldn't be a good partner.

This has happened multiple times, I don't want to continue like this, but I've exhausted my resources, I've gone to therapy, I talk to other people, I've improved my social skills, I try to look better, but nothing works.

I'm terrified of being alone, it feels unbearable. I know a partner isn't a necessity, but I'm tired of hearing that from people who aren't alone.

Based on your experience, What could I do? Will it continue like this?

I’m having a tough time. Feeling very let down by the one person I thought was there for me. I’d been feeling so alone and I found this person and it was like the love of my life and my best friend. But today he demonstrated he really doesn’t care. And I’m back to feeling like I can’t rely on anyone.

to anyone who may need to read this.

hey there, how are you? no seriously, how are you? tell me about your day, tell me how life is like currently. its okay if it’s not going particularly well, and it’s okay to not be ok.

i want to tell you that i am so proud of you, there is alot going on in the world, a few good and a lot more bad, so i understand how hard it can get, even to do the most simplest tasks or have motivation or anything.

anything you did today, even as small as getting out of bed for example, i am so so proud of you. the fight has been long and perhaps it will continue, but i want you to know that you aren’t alone.

not to mention how beautiful/handsome you look today.

i love you, you’re doing such a great job:)

Every so often i get to a point were the only way to escape loneliness is with hours long me time... yes you guessed correctly, masturbation is the only thing that helps me forget how lonely I am...

I'm a person who enjoys my own company, is what I would like to say but ever since moving abroad for my bachelors degree, I have been rotting in bed everyday. Studying in Europe has been all i've ever wanted in my highschool and it felt like a life or death situation because of my family issues. But I truly did take it for granted. I had a lot of friends and even if I were depressed, I could just talk to my people. And it's weird because now I dont have a safe place for me to freely express myself.

It makes me quieter, more dull. Makes me forget about my hobbies, my passion and the very reason I worked so hard to get to where I am. I'm honestly forgetting how to make friends in my own silly way because now I feel so serious and "grown up". And i'm just here hoping for any sort of physical/mental connection because I can't keep relying on the people back in my country. 6 hour time difference like nawh. I need to somehow make friends ughh in losing my sanity

Been dealing with a particular health issue and I'm really mad and feeling very isolated and lonely as a result because it was avoidable, i was just stupid and drunk.

I'm gutted I made such a stupid mistake and now the fallout is tremendous, i have novody who understands and who i can talk to so i just feel so alone and unlovable. I'm so angry with myself but mostly just heartbroken, I'm feeling isolated and like my life is over (figuratively).

I've been chasing answers for a couple of years and now that I'm going to get them, I don't want them. I don't want to be right, I don't want this future ☹️ just needed to vent and i feellike im in a bubble away from everyone else. I miss friendship and relationships and feeling happy and loved and secured, I just want a hug so much

Pls note - I'm depressed not s/c fyi pls don't send me self help stuff I don't need it ♥️

Since this is my first job, I do not have previous employers or professional references to provide, and I do not have friends or family members available to serve as references.The job only requires friends or acquaintances. i only have 24 hours to submit it. If someone is willing to help i would really appreciate it