After a lot of therapy to help with depression and anxiety, I've learned the technique of "passing the time of day" with people. Today I received chatted with someone behind the till at Tesco's. The lollipop lady at school, a pensioner at a bus stop.And two two blokes who wanted to know where the train station is.
I do t know any if these people at all.
I start with a simple hello, how are you? Busy day?
what happens next, is that they will tell you how they are and often ask you in return ( if they don't let it be, there are other places and times to interact).
Think if things that you might have in common like;
Have you lived here long?
Traditional British question This weather is...?
And so on just strike up a conversation.
I do understand how it can be so terribly lonley, I have been there. I was once in a very deep dark place, with done dark thoughts and a dog walker who said a simple "it's a lovely day today" brought me out if what I was thinking if doing.
If you need someone to talk to pretty quickly because thing are down, go for the Samaritans 116123, I use them frequently.
At the very least give them a try, even if you feel it's the most trivial thing, they will take a but if time to just chat.