The hidden disease in the Modern world is loneliness .
I see this in many of my clients where isolation and loneliness contributes to brittle mental health
If the nhs can make a friend for people in need, the country would be saved literally millions I can tell u.
It’s so true.
The video is from Trelawnyd villager Kelda who produces a daily video entitled
“ This is the day in the life of a lonely person who wants to tell someone about their day”
Kelda is a talented video maker and manager and I hope to get her on board for this years flower show
Watch her tiktok videos they are a hoot, but a hoot with a serious message
Loneliness is a nasty affliction .
I know I’ve told the story of the woman I once washed on Intensive Care who shared the fact tha I had been the first person to physically touch her in 17 years.
Such a fact is more than sobering
That woman gave me two baby turkeys as a sort of thank you
That in itself says enough.
I saw my friend Ruth for breakfast last Friday and we hugged a goodbye.
I held on to that hug a second or two more than I usually would
Such is the physical need of loneliness .
I can own it ….and share it
This afternoon one of my clients had a crisis related to isolation and together, with the pro active mental health team on call, tragedy has been averted
And so if you meet someone who talks to you a little too long at the shops or a friend who rings you a little late at night please take a big breath and realise that that person may be in need your input a little more than you realise.
As a new counsellor one of my clients shared that she had spoken to no one else but me for the whole week. I reminded her that I had heard her and that she had a voice and that made her cry
And cry hard to hear…….
We should all have a voice
We should all be heard.
I understand loneliness
I’ve lived it.
I’ve coped with it
It’s nasty affliction that no one should suffer from it, so reach out!
Please do something about it if you can
There are all kinds of loneliness. I did earlier in my life liveon my own and suffer from the lack of connection with others. For another lifetime now, I have been in a wonderful (usually) relationship, but still feel very lonely at times.
ReplyDeleteI live in Ohio
DeleteI am 69 and a community leader
I am a gay man too, and I’m lonely
My relationship finished in 1997
I want so much more
Oh John
It’s hard
I’m so lonely
It hurts
Keith
Xx
Keith
DeleteI think this blog entry struck a chord with some like yourself . Loneliness in the old gay population is just as much a problem as it in all gender groups but I was reading some research which points to specific isolation problems with older gay men
Thank you for sharing your thoughts it was brave of you
Thank you for highlighting how important listening and touching are. It seems so simple—remember Princess Di touching HIV fellows? I hugged a dirty homeless kid and he started to cry. Such is the need for any living thing to know they are important somehow.
ReplyDeleteWith would be nice to see who you are
DeleteRosie bowfant@aol.com
DeleteI hope Kelda settles back in to Trelawnyd, reconnects with old friends, and agrees to help use her skills and talents in some way for the flower show.
ReplyDeleteTa for the reminder for each of us to be patient, friendly listeners to all we meet who need to be heard.
Hugs!
She’s said that she will which is excellent news
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteHad to make an edit, will repost.
Delete🙏🩷
DeleteIs it just an inevitable effect of our modern lifestyle with its fast pace, many demands, and geographical mobility? Or did people in older times and societies feel loneliness and disconnection too? We assume they didn't, but I wonder if that's truly the case.
ReplyDeleteIt’s always been a problem I’m guessing, more of us older people around in todays world
DeleteThank you for this loving reminder of our human need , John.
ReplyDeleteIt’s as fundamental as breathing
DeleteJust knowing someone cares, is there for you and will listen. Priceless. xx
ReplyDeleteYes , it’s as important as having a roof over your head
DeleteI am a New York Jew
ReplyDeleteA lesbian
A daughter of a rabbi
A friend of many
And I’m lonely
I have no partner to share my thoughts and hopes
I have to cope with singleton life without complaint
It’s hard John, you are right, it’s so hard
Thank you.
Lee
Lee you are allowed a moan from time to time, it’s not kvetching (Is that a word?) lol xx
DeleteThis is perhaps your most important, most touching, meaningful post ever. "And so if you meet someone who talks to you a little too long at the shops or a friend who rings you a little late at night please take a big breath and realise that that person may be in need your input a little more than you realise. " The entire post is important, but I will copy and print this out for times when I am reached for and times when I am that talker or caller.
ReplyDeletelizzy
x
ReplyDelete
Thank you lizzy, I thought that paragraph was an important one too
DeleteI try to make a point of talking to at least six people a day. Even if it is only to say hello and wish them a great day. We all need to be noticed. I have realized that my younger friends now ask for hugs and they cheer us both up. John, your patients will be extremely fortunate to have you be their counselor. Just remember to take care of your own needs too.
ReplyDeletePlease sign your name , it’s nice to see who is here
DeleteKippy
DeleteThat's me John. I see no-one all week, and the only people I speak to are people on the till in the supermarket around each 10 days. Current mobility problems stop me meeting people in activity or social groups, and I live in a beautiful but isolated rural area. My only remaining friend died after a straightforward hip operation, months after my healthy and active husband was killed in an accident.
ReplyDeleteI had a very active and also busy social life, I never imagined my life would turn out like this in my later years.
Up until the last few years I was young, active, happy, still in love with my now late husband, (still am,) and with lots of plans and dreams yet to share with him.
The loneliness is unbearable.
J.
J. please don't let that be the end of your story, I was were you are just two years ago and have met a man I am head over heals in love with. Maybe call a friend and offer to buy them lunch or make a picnic lunch, if they will drive and head to the seaside or local park to share the sunshine and fresh air and a bit of caring. Friends care .Both my husband and this man started out as best friends. Don't give up, get yourself out there. Hugs,dearest.
DeleteStarted out as my best friends , not each others.
DeleteJ I have enjoyed meeting you in my blog. I enjoy our comment conversations and you have my email. I'm here for you.
DeleteGemma's person...lovely advice but it doesn't address true isolation, when there is no one to call, no one has time or interest, no one responds to your texts. II regret terribly that I had no understanding of my mom's loneliness when my dad died suddenly.
DeleteGemma's person, all of my friends have either moved away or died. Friends from years ago have lost touch, and those of them who came to my husband's funeral spend all of their days looking after their grandchildren and are too busy with their own lives.
DeleteAs for meeting another man, no, I know for certain that I will never marry again, nor do I want to. I said before, I'm too young to be a widow, and too old to start again.
I could never love anyone else.
Thank you Lizzy D.
J.
Would you like a ‘pen pal’ (computer style)? I moved from the US to Wales 2 years ago. I miss my friends of decades that I left behind. weavinfool at gmail dot com
DeleteJ
DeleteThat was a brave thing to do here, opening yourself up, I hope helps just a little, sometimes it does
I’m glad you are here and I am glad that you contribute to the comments
You do have a voice
X
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI can't say I'm lonely but I do want for physical touch. I tell my massage therapist that I pay her for the touching, just like going to a prostitute. We laugh but it's true.
ReplyDeleteI'm considering asking the nursing home to connect me with two of the loneliest residents and I will visit them. Yet it haunts me there are so many lonely people I'm probably encountering every day. Such a big problem. I would welcome more ideas on how to help.
ReplyDeleteThat is a great idea Susan. We have a nursing home in my town, I will enquire.
DeleteDuring Covid I found myself galloping to the kitchen wall if I spied anyone passing the cottage, and there I pretended to tend the planters so I could say hello
Deletelol
Just a little love a little care, if you can't make the world happy, which is what I am up to and so see that in your post , I should add that caring is loving is happier. It should be care about someone it could make their day.
ReplyDeleteI was at the pharmacy just yesterday and talked to an elderly gentleman and his daughter. I got to talking about how he had to work hard and grow a garden and get out and be active just to stay alive. It started about talking about diabetes and obese children I made the point then about the older generation and how they stayed fit just living. Spend time with your family outside, garden,to save food costs, keep chickens(almost anyone can). We even played outside . WITH our family and close neighbors , too many organized sports to run yourself ragged running the children to. Stop , stay home, make your own fun, learn the rules, children playing all positions including umpire, coach, they learn lots of responsibilities and leadership and team play. Let the adults get their own hobby. :)
Sorry John for the lengthy comment , but it is something I feel strongly about. We could change the world together, all of us, if we just started.
I forgot the rest of the elderly gentleman's story , he was very quiet , until I asked him about the gardening and he said he worked at chevy in a big city , he could retire at 50 and was afraid they were going to change it to 55 before he was able to retire..so he retired at 50 . He and his wife discussed it and they couldn't afford to live there so moved to the small city area I live in and they could afford and love it. I asked him about where he lived because I had lived in the adjoining county to the one he lived in and he told me. I laughed and said , well do you know, so and so a school friend of mine. He said yes I do and I said is she your neighbor...he said no , but I go to church at the same small church she did, and told me about the fund raiser they had and he had bought one of the pork roasts that my friend makes. And he bid on it and got it, so I told him I had heard they were really good and I had offered to pay for one from her and but hadn't had any yet. He said it was really good and he took his and sliced it up and put it in the freezer, I said well that is what I would do too. As I was leaving I was going to my car and we were parked next to each other. We greeted each other again and he was so much happier, glad to meet each other . I had two candy bars in my purse and asked his daughter if he could have sweets , she said yes, he can have anything he wants...he may have weighed 100 lbs, but I doubt it. I said your mom can she have them too. I gave her both candy bars and said to give one to her mom as well. She said yes, I don't need it , I said , why do you think I am giving them away I don't need them either , but it will make them happy. You are welcome to use any or all of this in your work if it will help. Or just toss it, if you want. love to you my dearest friend I have yet to meet. Never say never as I tell my friends. Hugs.
DeleteAnother perspective
DeleteYour positivism is catching and helpful
This is a good reminder that everyone needs to belong and feel needed. We can all do more to combat loneliness.
ReplyDeleteBoth for ourselves and for others I agree
DeleteLoneliness sucks. Even with a house full of people, you can still feel lonely, unseen, unknown. Strange how that is.
ReplyDeleteYes. I've started thinking this is normal from time to time. It's when it's constant that it becomes a painful problem.
DeleteYes many in relationships can be lonely
DeleteThis thread just breaks my heart. Linda from PA
ReplyDeleteIt does mine too
DeleteI am so lucky. I have a loving husband, children, grandchildren, and a very few but absolutely the best friends. I remember, though, times when I was so lonely I truly did not know if I could make it. Thinking about those times is horribly painful. You are absolutely right, John. Humans need each other. Even if only in small doses.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this reminder. And keep helping people to know that they are indeed heard. That is the most important thing of all.
Kelda is a great role model even though she doesn’t realise it, she knows herself and she pushes on
DeleteWell said! I now regularly ask my patients about their support network, and what are the doing to keep in touch with others.
ReplyDeleteI do too, often loneliness is not talked about , there lies a stigma and almost a shame to it sometimes
DeleteMy wife has befriended a woman who has lived alone for at least 45 years. This woman travels on buses a lot, simply to talk to people. All rather sad.
ReplyDeleteBut if it works it works for her
DeleteReach out, call, send the email, respond to the text. Take time to connect, to listen.
ReplyDeleteAmen David x
DeleteI run drop-ins for a national charity. I frequently see the same people who tell me I’m the only person they have spoken to in the last two weeks. Especially older isolated people. It breaks my heart how lonely and isolated we have become. I can personally relate. I can’t see any end to it… :(
ReplyDeleteI worked for Samaritans , several volunteers I always thought were lonely and talking to callers, even ones in distress was of benefit to them
DeleteBrilliant post, we all need to watch out for other people, our parents did it so well, your words ring true.
ReplyDelete🩷🙏
DeleteIn hospital in 2012, being checked over..next bed was a 97 year old lady.. her relatives didn't bother to visit.
ReplyDeleteWe sat and held hands for a while, in silence..and she smiled for the first time.(In a long time apparently)
You can be alone and lonely in the middle of a crowd
Lovely
DeleteI can't add anything useful to this thread, but agree with all I've read.
ReplyDeleteIt’s a personal post . An important one for me
DeleteI can relate to this in so many ways. People just do not understand how hard it is to be alone, especially when you are older. It's crushing at times. I thank the gods for my dogs and cats. They are my constants.
ReplyDeleteI just realized last night that I am probably lonely when I was in the backyard with the dog. My neighbours were out BBQ ing their dinner and came to the fence to chat. I never see them in winter and the weather is now starting to warm up so I will see them more often. It really felt good to see someone as I am alone with the dog most of the time. I went to the huge gay parade several years ago to see what it was all about and have never forgotten the sign one man carried. It said gay men need love too. So sad. Gigi
ReplyDeleteDearest J. When I said I was were you are just two years ago, I meant it, I loved my husband dearly and always will. I told the new guy I was never going to marry again. But, the more we got to know each other, I found myself falling in love with more each day. I could actually feel when I made another discovery about him that made me love him more. I will never stop loving my husband. Tears flow all the time. Hugs. Never say never please, give life a chance. It CAN happen , I was not looking for it in the least. Please have hope that you can be happy. It was one of the last things my husband wrote down for me to read. "I know it will take time,but be happy" He also said "You have a lot of life to live". I am 66. It did feel hopeless to me ,till I met the new guy.
ReplyDeleteGemma's person, thank you for your words. I'm a few years older than you and know that I don't ever want a new man. My husband and I were together for a very long time, and different people want different things. I'm glad you are happy and in love, but it's not for me. My husband was the love of my life, and he felt the same about me.
DeleteI'd like to make new friends, but it's not easy to go out there on your own, especially being a
woman. People are in pairs or even well established groups.
I haven't given up yet and I have tried, but it's so hard.
J.
My love to you J. and a giant hug. I know that is nothing like the real thing, but, I hope mightily that you will find someone who you can trust with and care for your heart. Just wanted to let you know , it happens even when you don't expect or aren't looking to find new love. Hugs , hugs and more hugs. Best wishes and let us know how it is going with you . I care.
DeleteThat was me above. We were married 46 years and dated 4 more while in school , so it was also a long and loving, he also was the love of my life. I am not just saying this, I am crying as I type this. I hope for your future happiness. I never ever would have thought I would feel this way about someone else.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThank you for this loving post, John. xo
ReplyDeleteI have had an interesting recent development, I am having my second cataract surgery next week, and the insurance comoany requires that I have a person stay with me for 24 hours post surgery. I flailed around desoerately for WEEKS trying to figure it out and finally remembered a nearby woman who I met doing volunteer work pre-Covid. I phoned her, she readily agreed to stay with me, especially as she is facing the same surgery and it can be reciprocal. I have been too isolated since the lockdown.
ReplyDeleteNina
An important and very moving post. Loneliness is a serious problem in our society. Other cultures look after their aged and revere them. I am sorry to have to say this but I have frequent connection with immigrants from other cultures and it is noticeable to me how they are much kinder and giving than we Westerners are. So much for our Christian values...or lack of.
ReplyDeleteSometimes those experiencing loneliness are afraid to reach out because they fear rejection. You may get rejected, but don't let that stop you. Even if you are not religious, attend church. Go to your local retirement home and volunteer. You must put yourself out there and not wait for friendship to come to you-go out and get it!
ReplyDeleteThis is a deeply moving post and comments. Loneliness is my keenest and most difficult problem since my husband's death (which was followed within a year by two other deaths among my small circle). I am quite introverted in many ways so I am surprised by how alone I feel. And there is more to come - both my mother and my mother-in-law are in poor health, my only sibling is four years older than I am, everyone I know is getting to that age where things happen, including blogging friends. Your advice is good and I have taken it to heart. Reaching out and listening to others benefit those on both ends of the exchange.
ReplyDeleteI work in a good shop picking for home delivery - the store is constantly at us to pick faster but if someone stops to ask me a question or make a remark I always take time to answer or show them where an item is located - for some people this outing is perhaps the only connection they have with others that day or even week. Self checkouts have also removed a means of communication for them. It's a sad world when we can't take a moment to acknowledge others. Viv
ReplyDeleteLoneliness is a killer. I am sure it underpins at least 80% of the calls to the crisis line. Perhaps more.
ReplyDeleteJohn , have you gotten your email straightened out. I tried with your new one and it wouldn't work for me.
ReplyDeleteI have a personal message I want to leave with you.
Volunteering really helped me find people, some who have become fast friends. Being in a choir, whether church or community is also fantastic. We go all together to singing events and hang out as a posse, and you can usually find someone from choir who wants to go to a concert or karaoke or whatever you are interested in. Some of my friends and I have discussed the concept of living together if our husbands pop off before us. (Much as I'd rather go first!) Platonic partnerships are becoming more common as folks find ways to combat cost of living and loneliness. We think of pooling our money and building perhaps a central communal kitchen and sitting area with units around it. My mum said the worst thing about being alone was nobody to discuss the minutia of days with.
ReplyDeleteI loved the comments on this post. Your brave post brought a lot of brave comments. I have been lonely for a lot of my life. I understand people who talk too much.
ReplyDeleteThat was a beautiful and moving post. It takes a lot of courage to reach out. Happy to offer to be a penfriend if that would help anyone. Jan xx
ReplyDeleteJohn, I've just read all through the above comments. I can honestly say that they have had a profound effect on me. I often say to my wife that I stopped and chatted to someone, and that I felt as if they 'needed' to connect with another human. I am always happy to chat for a while with people I don't know, and I do wonder about their circumstances. A very good post, thank you.
ReplyDeleteXx
DeleteAnd this post proves exactly why you are got to be an amazing councillor.
ReplyDeleteThis post really captures the raw feeling of isolation in such an honest and poetic way. The imagery and tone stayed with me long after reading. Thank you for sharing something so personal and powerful — it’s a reminder that even in loneliness, there’s connection through expression.
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