How To Become Unlonely
By Elisa Morgan
Loneliness is an epidemic today.
Hang in with me? This may not be your normal read but it’s important.
A recent survey found that almost half of all Americans feel alone. Forty-six percent feel lonely sometimes or always and 47% feel left out sometimes or always. Forty-three percent report feeling isolated from others, a lack companionship and say their relationships lack meaning.[i] The number of friends people report having today is one or none where twenty years ago, people could name on average four close connections.[ii] Twenty-seven percent rarely or never feel like there are people who understand them.[iii] The loneliness epidemic strikes generationally as a British University found that loneliness is especially prevalent among those under 25 or over 65.[iv]
Still with me?
And because of the unique days we are facing with COVID-19, loneliness is fast becoming an epidemic within an epidemic. In the survey of 1,008 people aged 18–35, 80% of participants reported “significant depressive symptoms” during the pandemic and roughly 65% of study participants reported increased feelings of loneliness.[v]
Cause for serious concern, right?
I think so. And I’d like to contribute not just to the thinking about loneliness, but to seek solutions. So, I’m writing a book to address loneliness. You’ll see more in the months to come but before I complete this project, I wanted to pause and invite you further into it.
As you live in these days of distancing, how have you become “unlonely"? How have you battled this epidemic, inching it out of your days and nights? How have you addressed the holes in your heart with hope, not just during the pandemic, but in the cultural of loneliness that I described?
Can you share your story with me so that I can share it with others? We’ve created an easy-to-use form at elisamorgan.com/unlonely where you can contribute. Our deadline for submissions is January 30, so please hurry over?
I’m so very grateful for your help here. As I often say, we need each other! Your story will help me help many.
Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labor:
If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up.
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Elisa Morgan is the cohost of the new podcast, God Hears Her. She is also the cohost of Discover the Word and contributor to Our Daily Bread. Her latest book is When We Pray Like Jesus. Her other books include The Beauty of Broken, Hello, Beauty Full, and She Did What She Could. Connect with Elisa @elisa_morgan on Twitter, and @elisamorganauthor on Facebook and Instagram.
[ii] https://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/loneliness-ends-where-the-blessing-begins/