To crave this and feel embarrassed about it?

[MonkeyDoodles]

Times have been really hard for me of late. I feel very lonely and unsettled.
All I can think about lately is just having someone hold me for a while but I have nobody who would and it sounds really pathetic to ask.

You've got the skin hunger. It's a thing. Nothing embarrassing about it; humans need touch (on the whole, and to varying degrees).

Bless you OP. Have a virtual hug from me ❤️❤️

Hm. That sounded like I was telling you off for feeling embarrassed. That wasn't my intention. I just mean that the need for human touch doesn't make you weird or pathetic or needy, it makes you human.

No idea what to do about it, mind. But if you Google skin hunger or possibly touch starvation/deprivation you'll find resources.

I feel the same OP. I don’t have children, a partner or parents and not really comfortable enough to have that level of contact with friends.

Do you have a pet or would you consider one? Having a cat to cuddle has helped me.

I’m sorry things have been so difficult

I have a 5 foot teddy bear I bought when I split up with my ex… it’s not the same as a proper hug but it helped a little 🤷🏻‍♀️

It’s not pathetic to ask at all - it’s a totally normal human need.

Have you got family/ a close friend you could ask for a long hug? I wonder if it’s the asking that’s difficult, or whether there really isn’t anyone you could ask? I think a 30 second hug is supposed to release some good feeling hormones.

Nothing to be embarrassed about at all x

There's nothing pathetic about feeling a need to be touched, you're only human. I'm sorry, OP, it sounds like a very isolating place to be in and I'd happily give you a cuddle if I could 💐

No you're not weird or needy, a hug can be a salve. I have a colleague who wants to hug everyone - she does my head in, I just like to hug my DH, occasionally my adult children and always my dogs.
I'm so sorry you don't have anyone to hug and that times have been difficult for you. Would you or could you consider joining a church - I know it isn't for everyone but you will usually find a warm welcome and the more you join in the more huggy they get - not being flippant, I hope you know what I mean.

Thanks so much everyone for not making me feel weird for this andfor the suggestions x

Hi OP, have you considered going for a back massage, Indian head message or manicure? Touch in that way is really helpful. As other PPs have said, getting a pet you can handle can also help xx

I completely understand this

I'd urge caution about the church suggestion, unless you would be interested in joining that church anyway. Certain types of churches are like heat-seeking missiles for lonely people, and will lovebomb people until they're involved in something they would never have intended to get into so deeply, had they not been emotionally manipulated into it.

I get it. I just want a more grown up adult to hug me for moment and tell me it's going to work somehow, that we're in this together and we'll get through it. It's a lot tougher to convince yourself you can do it alone.

My suggestion is to go and get a therapeutic massage.

Would you try a weighted blanket ? Obviously not the same but may help

Hi op I get it too, I'm single and no one to hug. Do have DD13 but she's not the huggy type.
I get an occasional message which helps

This is what I was going to suggest.
Would going for a pamper day help? Manicure, massage etc

Not wierd at all Op.

I remember a couple of years ago reading a thread on here where a poster was single, not sure if had either divorced or Seperate from a long term partner and they were feeling lonely but very much the physical act of just a caring hug.

They went for a beauty treatment and when the staff member began massaging their hand they burst into tears because of the physical contact and missing this.

I hope that poster has got to a better place x

I’m actually not very tactile but I remember Pre DC when DH was away with work thinking that I hadn’t touched another human for a week and it felt very odd.
No need to feel ashamed OP, it’s perfectly natural

Definitely a massage, really helps!

Not pathetic far from it, many people would be happier if they got more physical touch

I’m in the same situation. It’s been years for me. Your post isn’t pathetic at all. There were plenty of articles on the absence of touch during the pandemic. As my lovely DS gets older, he’s less prone to hugs. My friend treated me to a massage and I just cried as it had been so long since I was touched. I do recommend it but expect to feel emotional.

It really isn’t strange at all.

A few years back I was coming home from work when I came across a lady who went to school with my dad. I went to school with her kids.

She looked so sad so I asked if I could do anything for her. And she asked for a bosie.

I held her until she let go. It looked as though the weight of the world had disappeared from her.

Touch is important.

There’s nothing pathetic or odd about needing a hug. Here’s a virtual ((hug))!

I had this when I was getting divorced. I ended up blurting it out to a colleague in the staff room and asking her for a hug, which she gave me. Saved me, really. Just ask someone. Most people would actually be happy to provide.