Self-belief

Does your desire to connect compete with your fear of rejection? When self-doubt sets in, socialising with new people can feel intimidating. It might feel safer to hold people at arm’s length – but that can come across as lack of interest. Periods of loneliness can even undermine confidence in initiating social contact with people you know and trust; it’s easy to get stuck in an overthinking trap, questioning whether reaching out is appropriate or welcome.

There’s still a stigma attached to talking about isolation and loneliness, and it can feel like you’ve failed at something that everyone else seems to find easy. But opening up to someone you trust can make a big difference in helping you gain perspective on your feelings. Bear in mind that loneliness, like any challenging emotion, can put a negative filter on thoughts. As a counterbalance, before any social interaction, try reflecting on the successful and rewarding relationships in your life – past or present – to boost your confidence and optimism. And try making a point of really paying attention to small daily pleasures and achievements, and talking about them – a positive outlook will help yourself and others feel good.