If You or Someone you know feels Isolated, this is a *must* Read!
Age Uk clearly says in a report that loneliness and isolation are not the same.
The report explains how an individual can be physically isolated (in living alone) yet not feel lonely. On the other hand, another person may be in the company of other people, yet feels lonely.
Here is an extract:
While the terms ‘loneliness’ and ‘isolation’ are sometimes used as if they were synonymous, they refer to two different concepts. Isolation refers to separation from social or familial contact, community involvement, or access to services. Loneliness, by contrast, can be understood as an individual’s personal, subjective sense of lacking these things to the extent that they are wanted or needed.
However, for many isolation can be a horrible experience. It can affect a person’s emotional, mental and even physical health. Isolation in such cases causes one to feel cut off, detached or even left out. Many times, prevention is better than cure. If we can prevent that horridness of isolation, then we do not need to endure it.
So how do we find ourselves isolated?
#1 We find it difficult to communicate
Communication is important. It is how we relate to others. When we cannot communicate well, or others do not understand us, or there are even language barriers, we may feel isolated.
#2 We feel you do not fit in or belong
Sometimes our perception can cloud how we ourselves cut ourselves off. How we isolated ourselves in real effect.
Are you the only Hispanic among a group of black people? Are you the only teenager among a group of very grown up adults?
Such situations make us stand out. We are already pre-judging what the others are saying. We are already thinking that because we look different from the others, therefore they may not want us included in their group.
You would be surprised about how excited and welcoming they may be feeling. Perhaps the group has been trying to get an Hispanic or some young blood among them for some time, and just over the moon.
Celebrate your uniqueness rather than see it as not be a part. There is one thing we all have in common in the world … we all are part of the human race!
Show the group how to bring other people of different ethnicity, age or interests into the group, rather than recoil and withdraw.
#3 We feel rejected
Rejection can bring isolation. If others have deliberately rejected us especially in a traumatic way, it is easy to feel isolated. You may feel that others too will do just the same. You need to heal the wounds of the trauma, work on it with your counsellor or pastor. But do not sweep it under the carpet. Ignoring it over days, weeks, months and years will eventually pile up and cause you to feel isolated.
#4 There are stigma and discrimination towards us
Definitely stigma and discrimination brings isolation. Others by way of their actions or words put up a barrier that shuts people out. Educating people to understand that stigma and discrimination is harmful is the answer.
Your response in the meantime especially if you cannot seem to reach out to these people is to love them from a distance…for your sanity. There is not point getting into lengthy arguments that will drain you further and make you feel isolated.
#5 We may be proud
The hidden cost of pride is isolation; humility and joy’s payoff is community – Bob Goff
Whether we like it or not, sometimes we are the ones with the issue. Proud people always think the issue is with someone else. We are always blaming others. We are close minded and think we know it all. Because we are so proud, it is easy to lose touch with others. Gradually people around us begin to withdraw. No one really enjoys someone is so full of themselves.
Also, I may as well throw this one too – as much as it is good to be competitive don’t take it too far. I found this out as a young adult many years ago when my cousins said I took the fun out of scrabble because I was far too competitive. Over competitiveness puts people on edge.
Please make sure you share this post to someone that is feeling isolated and low!
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