Apart from work colleagues and my therapist for one hour, I won't see anyone this week

[buildingsites]

I live alone and this week I haven't had proper interactions with anyone other than colleagues at work (in an office largely computer-based job) and my hour long counselling appointment. Other than being at the supermarket etc, I haven't seen anyone else since Sunday and won't see anyone until this Sunday. I don't feel particularly personally known at work and I manage a team so it's not like I can be friends with them and get my tank filled that way.
I don't have any family. Friends are all busy with their families and/or haven't got back to me yet with a date for when they're free for a catch up. This is a picture of how most weeks can be for me. I'm so lonely and yet I feel ashamed to admit it to anyone. I feel low this week and I'm struggling to concentrate on my work.

That sound's hard. I agree though that hobbies might be the way to go. This will be a show burn but worth it

. I often just want to stay in and sleep
@buildingsites this is very telling. As long as you stay home and sleep then you will carry on being lonely. It also sounds like you’re not really open to what people on here are suggesting. Your apathy may be depression. Perhaps you should address that first ?

If you’re on Facebook and on a local group on there - ask what’s available/going on in your area

That will carry on unless you get up and get out. It really is the best cure. Go out for a winter stroll somewhere to uplift you - it will help more than you know.

whatever you like doing, start a group for people. Even if it’s just a weekly bottle of wine club.

Exactly this.

There are also many groups that don't require you spending anything but just giving your time. Whilst I didn't feel lonely six months ago I just felt like I was going through the motions in life of work, parenting and home life . I now run a Scout group and have a fantastic group of little boys who keep me on my toes once a week.

It’s rubbish isn’t it, and there’s always the pressure of how was your weekend questions. I remember being lonely sometimes when I was single at weekends. Used to buy myself some flowers, a bottle of wine, the occasional takeaway or nice meal with a box set. Try to get out for a walk, do some online gaming if you like that sort of thing

I understand op, solidarity with you 💐❤️

Defo volunteer at Park Run as suggested by pp, my colleague met her now husband doing that. She was similar to you, all of her friends had busy lives with their families, and she was single with no kids. She had been volunteering for a few months, then he volunteered for a few weeks instead of running as he was injured, and the rest is history 🤣 She was complaining last week that they were too busy as they were having his grandchildren for the weekend

So you’re lonely but don’t want to do anything about it? If you just want to make a friend with little effort what about Bumble? Can just message others and become friends via messaging?

City socialiser

I don't know if I'm depressed. I don't think I am, yet, but sometimes I can feel myself edging that way. I have been before and am still on medication.

You are not alone in feeling this way op. It is difficult to make the effort to get out when there doesn't appear to be a reason to. Try to get out even for a really short time. I like to walk in a busy park so I see other people when I'm feeling this way and don't have the strength to do anything else. Take care of yourself, this feeling will pass.

I understand totally OP, it’s awful. A few years ago I had a period of about 4 weeks where I conversed with nobody in real life. It was so bad.

I have since moved and my circle is getting a little bigger but it does take time.

Is there a book club or craft group near you? Can you go to the gym or a local leisure centre to at least get you out of the house?

Do you have any spare time in the evenings or on a Saturday to volunteer?

I don’t know what sort of area you live in but in my small ish town (off the top of my head) the following types of volunteering are active:
Local common group (they do “work parties” on the common, clearing/weeding, general upkeep etc)
Cubs/guides/beavers etc, always crying out for volunteers.
Youth club
Day centre that does meals for the elderly
Community cafe
Foodbank
Litter picking group
Canal trust

It’s not really about the activity - more the fact that you’ll be meeting people and getting out of your own head, as well as doing something useful.

Sleeping all the time isn’t healthy, sounds like you’re depressed?