So you woke up this morning to an empty bed, to a cold pillow, and the sheets untampered with. You drove to the store and only bought enough for your own self indulgence, and when you went to the movie matinée you were overwhelmed with how much anxiety you had purchasing just one ticket. So, you’re lonely. So, you’ve gone out to parties and found yourself not enjoying them because the hand that used to pull yours through the crowds was nowhere to be found, yet instead was replaced with a can of PBR. You’re lonely and you don't know what to do, you’re lonely and you don't know how to fix it.
The thing you don't realize while falling victim to this detrimental mindset, is how much growing you have to do. The reason why you feel this way is because someone at some point in your life told you that you needed a significant other or a large friend group in order to reach ultimate happiness. The reason you feel this way is because you’ve been leaning on a half-hearted crutch for months and your legs are now unsteady. This isn't the time to give in though. This isn't the time to wonder what side of the fog covered line that splits lonely and depression you are walking on. The thing you don't realize is that you are worth more than unenthused responses and half smiles. You’re worth more than cancelled plans, and filthy rumors. This is the time to become your own best friend. This is the time to pick yourself up and brush off the prints left behind from the stampedes of individuals who thought it was OK to walk all over you!
As a single woman, and junior in college- as an individual in my twenties, with an extreme lust for human connection, I too can say I’ve been lonely. I’ve walked where you’ve walked and I’ve probably drank just as many bottles of wine and contemplated running away more than half as much as you. But time after time I’ve pulled myself out of this state of mind, because being “lonely” doesn't fix things. It isn't the answer to the formula of life, and it will just push good things away and pull you deeper and deeper into life’s dark quick sand. My advice is to love yourself first, take yourself on dates and adventures, fill your time discovering your passion and meet people who share it. Do not latch yourself onto another natural disaster, do not let the water pull you further from shore. You will not be lonely forever. You are worthy, and you are loved- this is just a test, and trial on your way to self-fulfillment.
