"تنهایی از نداشتن آدم‌ها در اطراف شما نمی‌آید، بلکه از ناتوانی در برقراری ارتباط با چیزهایی که برایتان مهم به نظر می‌رسند می‌آید."

Feeling lonely isn't always about being by yourself. Sometimes, you can be surrounded by people and still feel incredibly isolated. This happens when you can't share what truly matters to you, when the thoughts and feelings bubbling inside you have no outlet or understanding ear.

Let's rewind to when this sentiment first took shape. It was the philosopher Carl Jung who mused about this kind of loneliness. He wasn't just talking about the absence of company. He was highlighting a deeper, more insidious type of isolation — one where you feel disconnected because you can't express what lies at your core.

Imagine you're at a party, music blaring, people chatting away, and you're just there, nursing a drink. On the surface, it seems like you should be having fun. But inside, you're thinking about the fight you had with your best friend or that dream you have of starting your own business. You look around and realize there's no one there you can talk to about these things. That's the kind of loneliness Jung was pointing to.

Think about Amanda, a talented graphic designer working in a bustling office. She’s got colleagues to chat with, meetings to attend, and a seemingly active social life. But she’s passionate about environmental conservation, something that doesn’t come up in her 9-to-5 world. Every day, she feels a bit more isolated because she can't talk about what lights her up inside. Her coworkers are great, but they don’t get why she’s so invested in reducing plastic waste or planting trees. This lack of a shared understanding creates a barrier.

So what can you do to stave off this kind of loneliness? First, seek out your tribe. Find people who share your passions, whether it’s through online communities, local clubs, or meetups. If you’re into something niche, there’s almost definitely a group out there for you. And don’t be afraid to initiate these conversations with the people already in your life. You might be surprised to find shared interests or at least a willingness to listen.

Picture this scenario: you're at Sunday dinner with family, and the usual topics are on repeat — work, school, the latest show everyone’s binge-watching. You tentatively bring up your interest in, say, astrophotography. Maybe at first, there are some blank stares, but slowly your cousin mentions they’ve always been fascinated by the stars, and before you know it, you’re planning a night to stargaze together. That barrier of loneliness starts to crumble.

To put it into practice, make it a habit to talk about things that are meaningful to you. It doesn’t have to be a grand reveal. Small mentions here and there can open doors to deeper connections. And listen, genuinely listen, when others share their passions too.

Loneliness is often a sign that we crave deeper connections. It’s a nudge to seek out those who get us, to bridge the gap between our inner world and the world around us. So next time you’re feeling isolated, don’t just scroll through social media or binge another series — reach out, speak up, and share a piece of your soul. You might just find that you’re not as alone as you thought.