The loneliness epidemic

“You can’t stay in your corner of the forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes.” ~A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

According to U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, M.D., loneliness is a health crisis in America. In his 2023 report, “Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation,” he notes that the lack of in-person social activity leads to serious health outcomes, including heart disease, dementia, and diabetes. Apparently, despite our many social media connections, Americans aren’t fully engaging with others in healthy, three-dimensional ways.

Here’s the deal: Good relationships require initiation and effort. Too often, we hang back in silence and blame our loneliness on others — or we wonder why others don’t reach out to us. Maybe we fear rejection. Maybe we’re too shy. Or maybe we’re just too busy to initiate an actual social plan. (“Let’s get together sometime” isn’t a social plan.) Either way, it doesn’t help to wait for others to call or extend an invitation.

As today’s quote suggests, we have to take responsibility for our own social lives. Posting comments and photos on social media doesn’t count. Is it time to venture out from your corner of the forest? ~CL

Click here to read an article I wrote on how to reboot friendships after the pandemic.

Photo by Cindy La Ferle