While I could not definitely say what loneliness is, it’s quite real for me.

There is a difference between solitude and loneliness, I’ve experienced them both.

I’ve been living alone for the past 10 years, but I cannot say that I’m treated like an outcast (some people have that regretful experience). It’s more like both loneliness and solitude come out of me.

being alone is a choice. i think, that makes the difference. to chose.

Yes, being alone is a choice. Yet, sometimes you find yourself unable or unwilling to explore the other choices. Maybe the greatest burden of loneliness is that there is nobody to ‘approve’ or ‘reject’ you and your deeds. Indeed, we need spectators on our lives. We want certain privacy, of course, but we also need to share something ’something’ we have inside us.

But you can also learn a lot about your true value as human being from meditation. You can explore your core values. Or, on the other hand, you can stay on bed the entire day, just sleeping…

One doesn’t have to be an outcast to feel alone. It is that feeling of separateness, even in the midst of others, that sometimes feels overwhelming. I have certainly felt it many times.

Maybe aloneness is a state of mind; maybe it is that judgmental inner voice, that says we are not good enough, that prevents us from feeling the connection.

Maybe it is just that each of us comes into this life alone, unique, individual, and completely different from everyone else who came before.

We all long to connect with others, and often fail in our attempts to do so. We all long to feel as though someone gets us and sees past our little quirks. We all long to feel as though our life makes a difference.

I hope you are not feeling too much alone these days. You make a difference in my life. I am so glad that you are there! My thoughts are with you. ☺

@Judi: Thanks for you kind words!