Loneliness equals desired connections minus perceived connections. — Loneliness is a complex, confusing, and diverse sensation. Chances are, we’ll never be able to express it fully. But we can try. In fact, we should try because most people still have misconceptions about loneliness. We’ve all experienced this painful feeling but often struggle to put it into words. What’s…

And why there’s still hope for a more connected future. — Loneliness is a deeply inherent human feeling. It developed as a survival instinct — like hunger — to signal us the importance of companionship. And because our brain software hasn’t really changed for millennia, this feeling of loneliness is still the same as it was back then. But you know…

How the language of loneliness can help you build a more connected life. — The language we use to talk about loneliness (if we ever talk about it) is like scrambled eggs. We put all the vocabulary in a humungous frying pan, give it a sturdy whisk, and add ingredients according to our fantasy and imagination. For instance, a friend recently told me, “I…

And how food can show you the way to human connection. — In 2021, the German YouTuber Fritz Meinecke started a crazy experiment. He and six others were dropped separately into the wilderness of Sweden. The challenge was to survive for seven days with only seven items of their choice. No camera teams. No human contact. Complete isolation. Watching this show is…

This goes way deeper than the pandemic. — I’m telling you this as someone wading through his 20s right now: Fighting loneliness has been one of the biggest struggles in my life. There have been so many instances where I felt detached, didn’t have anyone to talk to, or was craving for human connection. And make no mistake…

How to use the 3 types of loneliness to feel connected in a lonely world. — One of the most frustrating things about loneliness? It’s complex. Everyone experiences different kinds of loneliness in different stages of their lives. Loneliness is not a lightbulb we can turn on and off; it’s a vast spectrum of brightness, colors, and temperatures. But that doesn’t mean we’re powerless. Quite the…

Understanding loneliness is the first step in fighting it. — The first time I remember feeling lonely — really lonely — was when I moved out from home. I was 18 and felt like the whole world was at my feet. My grand vision was to become an engineer, earn lots of money, and travel the world. …