Hello everyone! Today I will be diving into some research for my story!
My story’s main theme is loneliness. Loneliness is defined as the mental or emotional discomfort you may experience from either being alone or feeling as though you are alone.(1) Loneliness is a very subjective feeling, as people may have different comfort levels. There are many different types of loneliness: New-situation loneliness,(2) I’m-different loneliness,(2) No-sweetheart loneliness,(2) No-animal loneliness,(2) No-time-for-me loneliness,(2) Untrustworthy-friends loneliness,(2) and Quiet-presence loneliness.(2)
Loneliness is often amplified by social media.(3) People on social media mostly post the highlights of their life, which feeds toxic comparison culture and fosters feelings of self-doubt and inadequacy.(3) While social media can be a great tool for connection, it leads to isolation when used passively.(3) Loneliness can have very negative effects on health. Some effects are depression, high blood pressure, weakened immune system, anxiety, early onset of dementia, and in severe cases suicide and self-harm.(4) Loneliness is different from being alone(5), as a person can physically be alone but still have strong bonds and connections with others.(5)
Still, loneliness is not inherently bad, and it is certainly not a flaw.(6) Loneliness is a natural part of the human experience.(6) While being lonely can feel like one is failing, especially paired with comparison culture and social media, it is important to remember that what one sees is only a fraction of another person’s life. Many people in the world are lonely.(7) Just as the stars in the night sky are many but unreachable, you are not alone in feeling lonely – you just don’t know what everyone else is going through.
References:
Modglin, L. (2022, August 2). Loneliness: Causes, Effects and Prevention. Forbes Health. https://www.forbes.com/health/mind/what-is-loneliness/
7 Types of Loneliness, and Why It Matters. (2017). Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-happiness-project/201702/7-types-loneliness-and-why-it-matters?msockid=19b3196cfb906fb227fc0c5ffa606e76
Social Media and Loneliness: A Dangerous Pair. (2025). Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/no-more-fomo/202501/social-media-and-loneliness-a-dangerous-pair
Clinic, C. (2018, February 23). What Happens in Your Body When You’re Lonely? Cleveland Clinic; Cleveland Clinic. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-happens-in-your-body-when-youre-lonely
Understanding Loneliness: A Modern Epidemic. (2025). Nutshell Summaries. https://www.nutshellapp.com/publicsummaries/understanding-loneliness-a-modern-epidemic
Stewart, G. (2024, April 12). Things Everyone Gets Wrong About Loneliness. Bolde. https://www.bolde.com/things-everyone-gets-wrong-about-loneliness/
Ross, E. (2024, October 25). What is Causing Our Epidemic of Loneliness and How Can We Fix It? Harvard Graduate School of Education. https://www.gse.harvard.edu/ideas/usable-knowledge/24/10/what-causing-our-epidemic-loneliness-and-how-can-we-fix-it
