The Real Reason You Might Feel Lonely (And How to Fix It)

Feeling lonely can be tough, and it turns out that having money or not having it doesn’t really fix that feeling. The key to overcoming loneliness isn’t just about being around people, but about understanding the roles each person plays in your life and building a support system where people can genuinely help you, and you can help them.

• Identify the specific purpose each person serves in your life.
• Don’t expect one person to fulfill multiple, conflicting roles.
• Communicate your needs and understand the needs of others.

Think about the people in your life. What is their actual purpose? It might be a good idea to actually write this down. I did this exercise a couple of years ago, and it really changed things for me. Before that, I was expecting everyone in my life to do the same thing for me, especially when it came to the support and growth of my business.

My team members are supposed to help me with the business, and they should be excited about what we’re doing. That’s their role. But does my grandma need to be interested in my business? Not really. My grandma’s purpose is to give me comfort, support, and love. We can talk about old times. That’s what she’s there for, and that’s her function in my life.

When you try to make one person fit into too many different roles, it just doesn’t work. Imagine expecting your best friend to be your business coach, your therapist, and your workout buddy all at once. It’s a lot to ask, and it can lead to disappointment for everyone involved. People have different strengths and different capacities for what they can offer.

It’s important to recognize that your family members, your friends, your colleagues – they all have different functions. Your partner might be great for emotional support and companionship, while a mentor might be the person you go to for career advice. Trying to force them into roles they aren’t suited for can strain relationships and leave you feeling even more alone because your needs aren’t being met in the way you hoped.

So, how do you fix this? Start by thinking about what you actually need from the people around you. What kind of support are you looking for in different areas of your life? Once you’re clear on that, you can start to see who in your life naturally fits those roles.

It’s also about communicating. Let people know what you need, and be open to hearing what they need from you. When you have a clear understanding of each person’s role and your own needs, you can build a stronger, more supportive network. This way, you’re not putting all your expectations on one person, and you’re more likely to feel connected and understood.