The Loneliness Companion

Gihan Hassan

The most important lesson I learned across many during Covid was being able to draw a line between being lonely and being alone. To be alone is a natural state of just ‘being’, whereas loneliness is an emotional response to not being in the company of others or something. What’s crazy about it is one person can be surrounded by a group of people but feel ‘lonely’ and a person can be alone physically and not feel ‘lonely’.  

 Finding companionship and contentment with being alone is a fundamental factor that I think increases one’s self-knowledge and self-growth. The theory, ‘social guard’, discusses the idea that when we’re in a social setting, even on social media, we are very likely impacted by the opinion and behaviours of those that are around us. It is said that being alone allows us to ‘drop our social guard, giving us the leisure and space to be introspective, making better choices and decisions about who we are and what we want to do without outside influence’.   

Our social guard is what makes ‘being alone’ uncomfortable because we realise that’s when we are our most authentic self. Being uncomfortable about it is when you know you're on the right path, if you're not uncomfortable then you’re doing something wrong. You cannot grow if you are not willing to outgrow yourself. The vulnerability is scary, the acknowledgment, reflection and introspection are worth the fear.  

Understand that it's possible to spend time alone and not feel lonely and that you can be with crowds of people and still feel lonely. Being alone is not a negative state, but a powerful state and I hope we all can find companionship in being alone. 

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Gihan Hassan, Contributer

Gihan Hassan is a podiatry student who enjoys reading and learning new things. She has a passion for literature and history as it presents opportunities to step back and understand the world we live in. Reading is her go-to pass time where books surround the tables and floors of her room.