If you scroll through Facebook or the ‘gram and you will
often see loads of accounts with people that look like they have lots going on, are successful, got their lives together, have loads of 'online
connections'/friends.
This is not reality.
Despite this illusion that social media gives, millennials are the loneliest
generation.
Loneliness is a cross - generational challenge that
effects millions of people in the U.K and around the world, ranging from the
young to the old. To continue the legacy Jo Cox (Member of Parliament, who died
after being shot and stabbed multiple times in her constituency), the U.K.
Government has set up a national strategy and appointed a minister to combat
loneliness and the associated mental and physical affects it has.
No two people are the same - loneliness impacts everyone in
different ways.
As a blogger, I use social media A LOT. Our reliance on
social media, technology and virtual connectedness play a part in this massive
loneliness epidemic. But it also creates a paradox. Smartphones make us
more alone but they also make it harder for us to be alone - weird,
right?
On a Friday night and you're alone watching Netflix, a
text message from Pizza Hut comes through advertising their latest £5 pizza
deal (can't be just me that receives these constantly). Thanks to social media,
you are never not able to see what those 700 friends of yours are doing and why
they aren't spending time or talking to you.
As someone on the brink of being classed as a
millennial/Generation Z - I can confidently say we are more connected with a
larger number of people than our parents and other generations were. However, I
don't think I'd be the only person saying that I still feel a massive
disconnect from people.
What is most worrying is that you can have all your
friends at the touch of a button, but if you compare our social media/virtual
interactions to how many times you have an actual conversation with another
individual, it's pretty damming.
According to The Independent, 86% of millennials reported
feeling lonely and depressed in a 2011 study. And then three years later, 18-24-year-olds said
they were four times as likely to feel lonely all the time as those aged 70 and
above.
So, what can you do if you're feeling lonely but surrounded by connections?
Social media is only one form of connection.
Actions speak a lot louder than words. Some (not all) online friendships are just words. Having face to face
contact with actual people who can provide moral and supportive relationships
has never been more important
Take yourself out to meet other people.
As cringe as it sounds, organised fun is the best. I often go to blogger
events on my own and I find that going alone allows me to get so much more out
of the event, especially when it comes to speaking to people I wouldn’t
necessarily get to talk to. And to top it off, these are some of the loveliest
people I know.
Don't be afraid of losing old friendships.
Cutting down those big impersonal friendship groups to get a
small number of meaningful friendships is never a bad idea. It's not
embarrassing to not have a massive group of friends i.e. #squadgoals. Often
those who are 'lonely' are those surrounded by the most people. Growing up, I
don't think I ever had a massive Taylor Swift esque girl gang. However, I am
fortunate to have lots of different friends from different walks of life,
different cultures and with different personalities. Sometimes you desire a smaller
social circle with more meaningful, valuable close knit relationships.
Don't aspire to do nothing.
I mean Netflix nights are great but it's so much easier to
do this or scroll through the ASOS new in pages, instead of ringing an old
friend to catch up. Friendship is an effort but an effort that has great
returns.
Don't let our obsession with celebrity culture replace community.
There are so many people out there that need taking to (even
more than ourselves). Talk to a homeless person on the street, volunteer at an
old peoples’ home or a childrens' centre. Not only does this give you a great
social connection, but giving back to the community allows you to have a sense
of purpose.
Outfit details
Jumper - Topshop
Trousers - H&M
Boots - Missguided via ASOS (similar here)
Mx
IF YOU’VE BEEN AFFECTED BY THIS ARTICLE OR HAVE EXPERIENCE
FEELINGS OF LONELINESS OR ISOLATION PLEASE CALL MIND INFOLINE ON 0300 123 3393
OR = GET CONNECTION WHERE YOU CAN SEEK HELP WITH ISSUES LINKED TO LONELINESS.
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