I'm feeling very lonely

[Upsidedownrightnow]

I'm sure lots of people are right now, but i'm feeling very lonely.

I am a single parent, I'm feeling stressed out and lonely right now and I don't know what to do about it.

Lock down life has been hard and i am currently studying and feel under pressure and I don't feel like i have anyone i can really turn to for real support right now.

I also put on weight in lockdown which i am slowly loosing but that is also an added pressure as I can't comfort eat.

Any tips atall on what to do to feel better?

I'm used to being very sociable with work but currently not working and I just miss normal life.

Hello,
Given my username I thought I should reply. I was a single parent for a long time so can sympathise.Is there anyone you can think of you can form a bubble with or have a zoom meet up with? anyone from school or anything?

awww thank you for the reply.

I have met up with some friends so its not like i don't have anyone to see atall, I just feel very lonely and like I miss interacting with people as i used to. as i said i'm sure everyone feels this way but i've just had enough of lockdown now and wish we could all have a normal life again

Well hello
I think it's totally normal to feel like this right now , I'm married and have 5 kids and still get episodes of loneliness 😥 please don't underestimate the impact of lockdown it's been more than tough . I don't really know what else to offer ya but just wanted to send hugs 🤗

It will get better for us all xx

I heard a radio programme (radio 4) before lockdown about loneliness and basically they were saying it is a huge widespread issue and its Ok to feel lonely. Being isolated does affect everyone differently..

I just tried to find the radio programme I listened to (it was a while ago) but found the links below instead...

What did you like to do before lockdown? That may lead to some ideas.

Are you interested in dating at all? My friend just registered with one of those farmer needs a wife websites for matchmaking rural residents.She said now is a good time to try as she can just say she wants to email any matches for now, and sort of use the virus as a way of dipping her toe in the water and emailing some potential blokes without the pressure to meet up!

six steps to take

NHS advice

rural dating site

@lonelyplanetmum Was it Woman's Hour about 3 weeks ago?

I think it was women's hour but it must have been quite a while ago before lockdown-it was just a general piece on the increase of loneliness. I seem to remember that Gloria Hunniford was being interviewed?

I just googled radio 4 and loneliness and there is loads on there. Thinking about it, how how ironic was that - loneliness was identified as a big problem before we then all locked down.

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/2yzhfv4DvqVp5nZyxBD8G23/who-feels-lonely-the-results-of-the-world-s-largest-loneliness-study

Is there a family you can bubble up with as a single parent? Grown up conversation in person and a hug are so valuable.

It's super tough. Be kind to yourself and when they are asleep leave the tidying up and do some self care. A long bath with a book on tv on your phone.

Don't worry too much about the weight. We all need the comfort food. If you are worried add in exercise - something you can do with the children or it won't happen. Bonus of this is you get the endorphins as well.

Don't be hard on yourself. You are doing a great job. Lock down is hard enough with two parents splitting it so you have an extra hard job. 💐🧁🍫🍩🍭☕️

I'm a single parent of toddlers (100% care) and feeling so lonely too. Mine is compounded by recently splitting with someone I'd only dated a few times but got really heavily invested. I am on dating sites but in a strange way only because I want someone to talk to rather than a full on relationship.

I would say have a routine, try and pop out with the kids for a walk each day. I find people are friendly and I may have the occasional chat. Maybe call one positive friend a night for a tiny bit.

@Iloveme30 - thank you and i do think many people must be feeling lonely right now, I think also not knowing when things will be normal again makes it worse.

@lonelyplanetmum - thank you i will look at the link.

Before lock down i mostly just like being around people, i used to teach a fitness class which meant in the evenings i got to see a regular group of people so it almost felt like socialising.

I am on some dating apps at the moment but I don't really like online dating alot and find it abit of a pain, but i'm still on them so we will see.

I suppose i also feel like i could maybe meet someone in a park for 'dates' but not really progress things right now as 1) imagine if they had the virus and i passed it to my dc. 2) i nearly always have my dc

@ColdCottage - i have been working out alot in lockdown and i have been dieting so i am loosing weight but its just hard.

@Eesha - sorry to hear you are also feeling lonely, I have also recently split up with someone so that could be part of it. although it was me that ended it and i don't regret it as he wasn't right for me i would like a relationship just not that one.