AIBU to think many people feel lonely?

[Gelati]

This is not really an AIBU type issue, but I wanted to post here as I know this is a popular topic.
I just saw a couple of articles in the guardian about loneliness, that really struck a chord with me and I am interested whether there are others who feel this way.
Links here:

www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/may/29/loneliness-report

I have been feeling lonely for quite a few years now. The thing is that I work (and so talk to people at work) and have some friends, and some family (although not in the city where I live), and so I am not alone all the time. I also have a child. I don't talk to myself, and quite often do social things with other people. But my overall feeling is one of loneliness.

In my 20s I always felt like I had a role in life, and I was heading somewhere like all my uni friends and later at work, and I got married, and had family and friends, etc. However, my marriage ended a few years ago (when I was in my early 30s) and since then I feel like I don't have a role in life and that if I suddenly disappeared, no one would notice. I guess it's a feeling that I am facing life alone.

By the way, I have name changed for this, as it's a bit embarassing to admit to feeling this way.

Sorry, that second link didn't work:

www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/may/28/emily-white-loneliness

Well, I don't know how common it is, but I'm lonely. Have a great marriage, but no real friends apart from my lovely MN friends - certainly no one to just call up to go for a drink or a coffee

Oh Gelati so sorry to hear that. I feel like that a lot, actually the more people around me the lonelier I feel.

Not at all, I very often feel this way.

I often feel this way. It's very sad. I especially remember feeling very lonely during my first year of university. I don't think I had ever felt lonely before that point.

I don't know if it's common, but I don't think it's unusual IYKWIM. Problem is, it's one of these things that other people can't see - especially if you don't go home to an empty house. I mean, I think people might have an inkling if you've just split up from your partner and you're suddenly on your own, but if you have a partner and a family, people don't expect it.

I feel very alone at the moment - marriage is not good - unfaithful DH, family is spread far and wide and have their own busy lives, I work and get on well with everyone there but I live quite a way away from my workplace so I don't see any of them socially, also live in quite a remote village and can't drive (have taken numerous lessons and tests over the years but seem to be 'challenged' as far as driving goes - very frustrating !) and currently DH and I have crippling debts so can't afford for me to take any more lessons anyway. No one has an inkling that my marriage has turned to rat shit (excuse language), apart from you MN'ers, who I use to vent my spleen occasionally!

On the bright side, I have 2 lovely DCs who keep me relatively sane .

Hope things get better for us all.