Navigating Isolation
- newwavehosa
- Jan 31, 2025
- 2 min read
Isolation is a tricky word to define. It just means being alone, right? Or is there a deeper meaning? When we say alone, is it just physically alone or is it when a person feels mentally alone? There are so many ways people perceive isolation, but which one is right? And is isolation even a good thing?
If you think you are feeling isolated, the question to ask yourself is: Am I content with being alone right now, or is this just a form of escape? If your answer is the latter, you are feeling isolated.
Isolation often gets confused with introversion. People think that if you are an introvert, that automatically equates to you being isolated. This is wrong. Introversion is when you feel comfortable alone, you may be physically alone, but are mentally happy with yourself. Isolation is fighting those mental battles where you feel that physical loneliness is the best way to combat sadness and your mental loneliness. Additionally, feelings of major isolation can be associated with mental illnesses such as depression and/or anxiety. Please note that if you believe this is the case, we strongly advise discussing it with a medical professional. Do not self-diagnose as that can be dangerous.
Here are some tips to help battle isolation if you are struggling with it:
Connect with nature. This could be as simple as going on a walk or sitting outside for a bit. Nature can be very beneficial to your mental health!
Pursue an interest. This could be a hobby or just a task you know will uplift your mood!
Build in time to socialize. If you are having trouble with isolation, sometimes blocking in that time where you know you are going to socialize with your family or friends can be super beneficial!
Contact a professional. If you find that these feelings of major isolation are chronic and/or have been occurring a lot, it may be time to seek help from someone who will be able to help you navigate them! A gentle reminder that there is no shame in asking for help!
To end off this month’s blog, I want to leave you with a final thought: isolation can be challenging to face, but you don’t always have to combat those feelings alone either.
Check out these links for more information:
@newwave.connections
