In life, there are times when things are really good and there are times when things are not so good. Some days, I feel like I’m on top of the world and can conquer anything I set my mind to. But there are other days where I question what my purpose is in life. I’ve noticed that weekends are usually when I begin to feel more depressed. I know what you’re thinking, “But it’s the weekend! How can you be depressed?”

Well, my week days are extremely busy, so when its Saturday morning and I finally have time to myself it’s easy for me to get in my head. I’m the kind of person that is always on the go, and when I’m alone it can be extremely hard to accept the fact. I sometimes feel envious when I see people out with their friends. It’s not that I don’t have friends, but I don’t have a set group of friends. I truly don’t know who I’d call and talk to if I ever felt the need to. Don’t get me wrong, I have some really incredible friendships and value each of them. I just don’t have anyone in my life I’d feel comfortable calling without worrying that I’m being a bother to them… But I know I’m not the only one who feels this way.

In the past, I used to turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms. Nowadays, I try and avoid falling into those old habits. Here’s just a few things I do when I feel unbearably lonely. If you’re reading this and feeling that kind of way, I hope my suggestions will help you in some way. 

Meditate

When I was in high school, a friend of mine told me that she would sometimes meditate when she was feeling stressed. I remember thinking to myself, “Yeah, right. Like that’ll help me.” Flash forward to college, and I found that meditation is AMAZING. I personally like to utilize YouTube or Spotify when I want to meditate. If you look up “meditation” there are thousands of different things for you to listen to. There are both guided and just instrumental options to choose from. It took me a few times to really be able to lose myself in meditation, but once you do… your life will be changed forever.

Netflix/Hulu

I feel like this one is just a given. One of the most common ways people unwind is to turn on Netflix or Hulu. And honestly, I can’t express enough how much this helps. I never used to watch TV series but once I started working out I needed something to distract me during my workouts at the gym. I have so many favorite shows on each platform. Some of my favorite shows on Netflix include: That 70’s Show, New Girl, Orange Is The New Black and Criminal Minds. And some of my favorite shows on Hulu include: Grown-ish, Brooklyn Nine Nine, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Don’t Trust The B**** In Apartment 23 and any of the Bachelor shows.

Journal

I pretty much swear by journaling. I don’t journal everyday, but I try to journal a few times a month. It is important for me to write down what I’m feeling when I feel lonely or sad. It helps me in the moment because I am able to get my thoughts out. But I also am able to look back at my old entries and see how I was able to overcome whatever I was going through at the time. I don’t only write about my sad days, I often write about things that make me happy too. I always carry a journal with me because I never know when I’ll have the urge to write.

Unplug From The World

If all else fails, put your phone away. Don’t get me wrong, I love the media. I’m a Public Relations major, I thrive with media. BUT I also know that having such easy access to a variety of different media outlets can be extremely draining. I’ve found that if I just set my phone down and distract myself by reading a book or going for a walk I am finally able to clear my mind. Even an hour without Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook constantly taunting you can help clear your mind. 

At the end of the day, we all get lonely. It is OK to feel lost. I honestly believe that everyone needs to go through times like this. It helps you grow, and become more comfortable with yourself. Just remember that you are not alone, and better days will come. One bad day does not create a bad life. You are worthy, loved and capable. Shine bright.