You imagined your summer full of sunlight, warm weather, and plans with friends. A summer where you are outside most of the time, soaking up the sun, and making memories with loved ones. But now? Summer is almost here and you feel lonely. Maybe you’re dealing with a recent breakup, or your friends have all planned a vacation when you’re stuck at home. You feel disconnected from everyone around you and it’s turning your summer more into a bummer.
Even when you’re surrounded by friends, your family, or even your partner, you feel lonely. You thought it would get better as summer became even closer but it’s only getting worse. Why? What can you do to not feel alone during this time of year? You’ve been looking forward to it for what feels like forever and now all you can think about is how lonely and isolated you feel.
Why Do You Feel Lonely?
When you picture “lonely,” you think of a 90’s music video of a sad woman crying and looking out the window while it’s raining outside. But loneliness isn’t just for music videos, people post-breakup, or sad rainy days. Loneliness can happen when you’re surrounded by people. It’s a feeling of disconnect, not belonging, and longing for meaningful connection with others. There are many reasons why you may feel lonely, especially during the summer.
Maybe you recently moved to a new city and haven’t found a solid group of friends yet. Or perhaps your friends all have busy schedules so you don’t get to see them as often. You could also be dealing with social anxiety that causes you to feel isolated in social situations. Whatever the reason, summer can amplify these feelings of loneliness. All because there’s an expectation to be out and about, enjoying the season with others.
How Does This Happen Even When You’re Surrounded by People?
It’s possible to feel lonely even when you’re surrounded by people because loneliness is an internal feeling, not an external one. You could be at a party full of people yet still feel disconnected and alone. This can happen for various reasons such as having difficulty connecting with others, feeling misunderstood, or constantly comparing yourself to those around you. For instance, if you’re at a party where you’re only surface-level friends with everyone, you may feel like you don’t truly belong or fit in.
Or, if everyone around you is at a different stage in life or has different interests, it can be challenging to find common ground and feel understood. It can feel lonely when everyone around you is in another phase of life and you’re just not there yet, or maybe you never will be. Summer can really bring that out in us. Your bestie is in a foreign country with her new boyfriend? That’s cool but now you have no one to spend July 4th with. A successful colleague invited you to a fancy summer party? That’s great, but now you feel like you don’t fit in because everyone there is married and talking about their kids while you’re single and childless. These are situations that make you disconnect because you feel like you don’t fit in. So, how do you combat feeling lonely this summer?
Ways to Combat Loneliness During the Summer
Having a game plan going into the summer months will be way better than just sitting around feeling miserable. Or leaving it until the last moment when everyone is already busy. Take control of your summer and let go of the expectations that come with it. Here are some ways to combat loneliness during this time of year:
Attend Local Events
Now, you may have had those parents who used to make you go to every free event possible as a kid, and it was the worst. But we’re talking about things that are more of what you want to do and less of what your parents forced you to do. Check out local events going on in your city, art festivals in Laguna Beach, or go to events at The Irvine Spectrum Center. These events are full of people, providing you with the opportunity to meet new people, strike up conversations, and maybe even make some new friends.
Keep Up with People You Care About
Now, you already know your bestie will be with her boyfriend exploring that foreign country. But, that doesn’t mean you should completely disconnect from her or your other friends. Send a postcard and tell her how much she means to you or keep up with her through social media. Make plans in advance for when she comes back so that you have something to look forward to. Reach out to other friends and family members as well, even if it’s just a quick text or phone call. These small gestures can help you feel connected and less lonely.
New Summer, New Hobbies
Summer is the perfect time to pick up a new hobby or try something you’ve always wanted to do. For instance, crocheting is a great way to relax while also creating something cool. But also a great activity to do when that summer heat has you trapped inside. This hobby could lead you to find local knitting or crocheting groups where you can meet new people and make connections over a shared interest. Other hobbies like painting, photography, or even joining a sports team can also help combat loneliness by getting you out of the house and into social situations.
Practice Mindfulness
Whether you do this in your own space at home or get your nature fix by going on a hike, practicing mindfulness can help combat feelings of loneliness. When you’re caught up in feeling isolated and disconnected, your mind can start to spiral into negative thoughts and self-pity. By being mindful and focusing on the present moment, you can redirect those negative thoughts and find peace within yourself. Being mindful also helps you appreciate your own company, making it easier to enjoy solo activities without feeling lonely.
Seek Support
Sometimes, despite our best efforts, we still feel lonely and that’s okay. It’s important to remember that loneliness is a common feeling and you are not alone in experiencing it. Seek support from loved ones, whether it’s talking to a friend or family member, or seeking professional help from a therapist for loneliness in Orange County, CA. A therapist can provide you with a safe space to explore your feelings and develop coping strategies to combat loneliness.
Also, if you are traveling around California this summer, online therapy for depression in Orange County, CA can be a great option for getting support while on the go. Therapy can be a great opportunity to better understand the source of your loneliness and work towards finding ways to feel more connected and fulfilled. Remember, you deserve to enjoy your summer just as much as anyone else, so don’t let loneliness hold you back from making the most of this season.
A Therapist For Loneliness in Orange County, CA Help You Enjoy Summer
Don’t let feelings of loneliness ruin your summer. Seeking support from a therapist for loneliness in Orange County, CA can help you navigate these emotions and find ways to feel more connected and fulfilled during this time of year. At Moxie Family Therapy, we offer compassionate and professional therapy services to help you overcome feelings of loneliness and improve your overall well-being. With our team’s support, you can discover new ways to combat loneliness and make the most out of your summer. Whether it’s online therapy in California or in-person therapy, we are here to support you in reclaiming your moxie. To start your therapy journey with Moxie Family Therapy, please follow these simple steps:
- Contact Moxie Family Therapy
- Meet with a caring therapist
- Take control of your happiness and seek support!
Other Therapy Services Offered at Moxie Family Therapy
At Moxie Family Therapy, we know loneliness can stem from a variety of underlying issues. It can also affect many aspects of your life, including relationships and self-esteem. That’s why our therapists offer a range of therapy services to help you overcome these challenges and improve your overall well-being. We provide our therapeutic services online and in person at our Orange County, CA-based practice. We offer counseling for young adults, children, women, teens, and couples. Additionally, we offer therapy for therapists, clinical supervision, adoption therapy, art therapy, and play therapy. Our team is also happy to support the LGBTQ+ community. Contact us today and learn how we can help you reclaim your moxie.
About the Author
Looking for ways to beat loneliness this summer? Melissa Mellon, LMFT, based in Orange County, CA, is an expert in helping individuals overcome loneliness and fosters an environment conducive to personal growth. Focusing on improving your well-being and fostering connections with others, Melissa offers a safe haven for you to explore and address feelings of isolation. Her mission is to empower you to forge stronger bonds and enhance your life quality. If loneliness is clouding your summer, consider reaching out to Melissa for a consultation to discover how she can assist you in finding the companionship and support you’re longing for.