Lonely folks should stay the pandemic course

Q I'm 41, single, self-employed and lonely. Many of my women friends have children and are preoccupied with them on weekends when I'm free.

Some family members won't get together with me because their children are at school, exposed to potential COVID19-contacts. My older relatives are self-isolating.

I appreciate their concern and caution, but it still leaves me on my own.

I'm busy enough with a home-based business during the week, but weekends on my own are tough. I read, take long walks and stream so many series I can't always keep them straight.

But I'm almost always alone, with my thoughts and feelings trapped in my own head.

I'm healthy, nice-looking and would love a relationship. But I can't see myself starting something with a stranger online when the risks of the virus are so serious. Yet some people are meeting and dating. Am I making myself more miserable by holing up at home for months ahead until this pandemic is over or there's a safe vaccine being distributed?

Tired of Being Alone

A Hang in, you have lots still going for you: A business (luckier than many), friends and family you can still talk to and see virtually. You've apparently also got your health, mobility and a home base of your own. Very lucky.

This is actually a time when you can make new friends online. I didn't say “dates” because you're not ready to meet strangers in person.

But you can read profiles on dating apps and try online conversations designed to make new “friends-for-now.” You can search for chat groups about specific interests and build a new contact network.

The pandemic will end when a safe vaccine gets distributed. That's months ahead, not years. You'll make it through. And the journey can still be positive and hopeful if you look forward instead of sadly inward.