Loneliness vs. being alone?

These two concepts are often used interchangeably or perceived to be the same thing.  However, there are some differences between the two that are important to not.  Firstly, being alone can be viewed as a physical state of being.  There is no one else in your proximity. Thus you are alone.  Being alone can also be viewed as a relationship status; if you are not in a relationship, it can be perceived as alone.  It is important to recognize that the state of being alone does not typically have an emotional attachment to it; it is more a statement. 

Loneliness, on the other hand, is more associated with an emotional state.  For example, you could be in a crowded room, full of people, and still feel lonely.  You are not physically alone as you are in proximity to others, but deep down, in an emotional sense, you feel alone.  Or you could be in a relationship with someone and not feel emotionally connected to them, you are not alone from a status standpoint, but from an emotional standpoint, you may feel alone.  Again, the important thing to note about the difference between the two is the emotional mind associated with the words.  You can be alone and feel lonely, but it is not to say that you have to be alone to have that feeling, as noted from the examples provided above.  Loneliness is a matter of perception; to others, they may see you as loved, cared for, and connected to other people.  But that may not necessarily be how you perceive yourself and your world. 

If you find yourself having that feeling of loneliness more often than the actual state of being alone, this is something worth further exploring and finding ways to feel more connected to others to minimize this feeling of loneliness.  Sometimes being connected to some community can be helpful, like volunteering or signing up for some club/activity. You can even attend a local community event.  You may not be a person who significantly participates in community activities. Still, sometimes even the act of being around others who share common interests helps you to feel more connected, thus minimizing that sense of loneliness.  Connection to another being (even a pet!) is important to help combat that feeling of loneliness; even in small increments can make a difference.  So be creative when exploring ways to make that connection.