The Difference Between Boredom and Loneliness
Loneliness Scripture: For upon|Everyone feels bored sometimes. Even when you have a list of hundreds of things to do when you’re bored right in front of you, you may still feel like you have nothing engaging to do. Or, you may feel like a better explanation is that you don’t have anyone to engage with. When feeling uninterested in interacting with the world around you, you may begin to feel the sting of loneliness. But are you bored because you’re lonely or are you lonely because you’re bored? Loneliness Scripture.
Besides having two different literal definitions, boredom and loneliness also aren’t actually the same feeling. While some people may say they feel similar, it could be because they’re used to equating fun activities with social activities. However, there are times when you may feel lonely even when you’re at a social event. Understanding the difference can help you come to a more simple solution. Loneliness Scripture.
Boredom Versus Loneliness
There’s a difference between losing interest in things and feeling like you have no one to express yourself to. Boredom is the lack of motivation or enjoyment in activities that are currently available to you. This means that any book you pick up seems lackluster, games you play don’t hold your attention, and even social media can become an endless blur of unappealing information. Loneliness Scripture.
Loneliness, on the other hand, can affect you even when you’re participating in a fun activity. While you may be engrossed in binge-watching a great show, watching two characters interact on screen may make you feel sad and potentially even jealous of their relationship. These emotions come from the feeling that you don’t have someone with whom you can discuss your thoughts or express yourself.
Feelings of loneliness can not only come from being alone but also from feeling socially distant from those around you. Even if you’re at a social event with others you know, you may feel isolated, almost as if you’re an outsider in their conversations. This can lead you to feel anxious, awkward, or even depressed. Medically-reviewed articles and advice columns from BetterHelp, an online therapy resource, can help you better understand how loneliness can affect your mental health. Loneliness Scripture.
Why The Difference Matters
Understanding the difference between being lonely and dealing with boredom influences the way you can solve the problem. It also affects who you might want to reach out to for support or additional assistance. If you’re having trouble getting out of a mental pit or a routine rut, there are different ways you can adjust in each situation to ease the tension. Loneliness Scripture.
How You Approach A Solution
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Conquering boredom is similar to choosing where you want to eat for dinner. At first, you’re not exactly interested in one thing in particular; just like you only know that you’re feeling hungry, you only know that you’re feeling bored. Start to pick things up and put them down when they don’t hold your interest. Occasionally, the first step is just getting yourself to actually start the activity. For example, even if you don’t feel like reading at the moment, try cracking open the book that’s been sitting on your shelf for weeks – it may be enticing enough when you start in on the story. Loneliness Scripture.
If you’re lonely, one solution is similar to solving boredom – the first move is to reach out. Unfortunately, this isn’t always as simple, especially if you have a mental health condition like social anxiety. For many people, one way to overcome this feeling is to play online games or read through and interact on an online forum. This way, you’re talking to others, building potential relationships, and working on interacting with those around you to strengthen your social skills. Loneliness Scripture.
Who To Reach Out To
When you’re bored, talking to others is a great way to get ideas about what you should do. Sometimes, calling or messaging someone is enough to relieve that feeling entirely. Friends, family, peers, and even online strangers can provide you with ideas and tips to relieve your boredom. Even if your social circle is too busy to go out, they may still be available to provide you with enough ideas to keep you occupied for the day, like binge-watching some of their favorite TV shows or movie series. Loneliness Scripture.
Your support system is just as important when you’re lonely as when you’re bored. These are trusted individuals that make you feel comfortable to reach out to when you’re not feeling your best. Sometimes, even when you have others you can talk to, you may still feel lonely. Expressing this feeling to others can help you to better understand the underlying reason, such as insecurities, anxiety, or feelings of loss. There are a number of various solutions that can help you feel better from loneliness, so it’s important to try to talk out your emotions with people that are understanding and considerate of your thoughts. Loneliness Scripture.
How To Adjust
In both cases, sometimes it’s important to just be with yourself for a moment. Especially in today’s world, everything seems fast-paced and ready to go at every moment of the day. However, you don’t always need to replicate this kind of existence. Feeling bored may indicate that you’ve exhausted all of your resources and hobbies and you’re in need of a break from stimulation. Similarly, feeling lonely may help you discover that you’re not comfortable with being by yourself and left alone with your thoughts. Loneliness Scripture.
Taking into account the information you discover when you sit with yourself for a moment, you can generally find a simple solution. When you’re bored, try restarting by taking a nap or simply letting your imagination go free for a moment. If you’re feeling lonely, left out, or isolated, consult a mental health care professional or online therapy resource to gain advice on your inner thoughts and emotions. It’s important to remember that you’re an individual with needs and desires like everyone else – as such, you can take the time to slow down and consider your mental and physical well-being on top of your interests and attention. Loneliness Scripture.
This post was developed via a partnership with BetterHelp.
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