Loneliness in a Connected World: The Illusion of Online Friendships
- Intern At Mind Splatters
- May 17
- 3 min read
-Preksha Gabrielle
Intern, Jan- Apr 2024
It seems strange that in today’s world, anyone could be lonely. Information is easy to come by, as is the illusion of forming connections. People the world over can “feel” connected to their friends or even strangers on their screens. At this juncture, it becomes apparent that these "connections" we've established are superficial. It's this realization that significantly contributes to the sense of loneliness experienced once we step away from the online realm.
There seems to be a crucial lack of interactions between people while face-to-face with others. We find ourselves caught in a perpetual cycle of comparison, where each individual in the room is preoccupied with measuring themselves against others, while simultaneously being scrutinized in return. This continuous loop perpetuates feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt, creating a self-reinforcing pattern of comparison and evaluation. It is not any one person’s fault, but the way we have built an online persona for ourselves that seems to be taking a majority of the blame. Social media platforms create a constant need to portray a sense of perfection in everything that we choose to share with the world. We only feel this pressure to be perfect because of the feeling of being under constant scrutiny.
The feeling of being constantly scrutinized can leave some thinking that their real-world relationships are meaningless. The lack of nuance in textual conversations can be challenging for individuals who want to foster a deeper connection. Furthermore, people may feel exhausted and cut off from others and themselves due to the relentless onslaught of alerts and updates. Even in an age of technological connections, many individuals still want real personal connection and closeness. A lack of personal connections has begun to affect our post-pandemic world since most companies are continuing a policy of work-from-home. Employees find themselves staring at a screen for the better part of their day, with no time left for proper socialization.
Starting to foster new relations outside the bounds of social media is a daunting task. However, all it takes is one step on our part towards creating a neighborhood on which we can depend and not feel pressured into perfection. There cannot be a one-size-fits-all solution to this global problem. Instead, we can try to implement some of the following suggestions in our lives in an attempt to build more stable connections.
Be Kind to Yourself: Our isolation and sense of detachment from the world can leave us drained and more vulnerable to fracture. Instead, practicing kindness can help us heal from the constant need to be perfect or compare ourselves to others. It comes with an understanding that no one’s life is perfect, no matter how much they depict it as such.
Being Present: Disconnection from the online social sphere comes in stages. It is not accomplished by just turning off all devices. Taking time to visit an area surrounded by nature can kick-start the process of being present and enjoying the moment without tripping over ourselves to capture the “perfect” moment of the day. Find activities that take place in a park or outside with a specific goal that will take your attention off the online stratosphere.
Volunteering: Building connections can come from helping other people. Volunteering at a local charity or simply helping out your neighbor with something they’re struggling with can cement the foundation of a community that you are a part of.
Seeking Therapy: It’s okay to feel like you can’t achieve a true disconnect without some guidance. There are trained professionals who can help you unravel complicated feelings that you may not be able to share with others in your life. They may also give you the push you have been needing; to put yourself out there and try new things. They are also a safety net you can fall back on in case of emergency.
Disconnect. Go out. Take time to smell the flowers. Most importantly, take your time to do it. Especially if your feelings are larger than yours, ask for help. It's the best thing you can do for yourself.
Comments