Avoiding Loneliness if You Live Alone

I assume that you have the gift of being able to leave your apartment. Even if you are basically homebound due to physical disability, travel as far as you can as often as you can. A trip to the mail box can be high adventure as change from your domicile. 

If you actually can walk, go for it! Go out at least once a day. Check out the changes in your neighborhood due to the season. Indeed, by walking at a moderate pace for fifteen minutes or longer, you will be improving your general health. (The necessary changes made for those who use adaptive devices such as wheelchairs, of course—and if you have such as ALS and are truly not leaving your bed, why, place it with view of a window and if medically possible, keep that window open so that you can feel the weather.)

Try to find alternatives to screens. Please see the sections, “The Importance of a Hobby,’ and “Find a Regular Weekday Destination.” If you can possibly avoid spending your time reinforcing your idea that you have a miserable psychiatric disability, do so. What do I mean? Try to find things to do and places to go that are not sponsored by mental-health providers or associations. Being with them for longer than you need to be for treatment could make it difficult for you to recover to your personality before you fell ill…. They underscore a label that has pejorative elements or stigma.

It is wise to avoid talking about your symptoms other than within the treatment environment. It will heighten the enjoyment others can take in being with you, to discuss anything but your pain. (This is true for any disease or disability.)

Money is a likely problem for many disabled people, particularly if they are unemployed. Check out free events in your locality. Often, the public library sponsors a variety of programs. Faith-based organizations such as synagogues provide many events besides services. (And you may find the services uplifting,) Your near-by parks have activities, too. Check the calendar that your city hall generates—you may be surprised at the variety of events that have no admission fee and are otherwise inexpensive or free,

My own favorite way of making new friends is to invite neighbors, one at a time, for tea and “a nosh/baked good.” Not all are excellent company, but the very activity makes for a good hobby. In addition, it develops community and I have an increasing pool of help if I run into need. Amazon sells Bigelow teabags, which incidentally are Kosher, in assortments of six boxes for under $16 each—herbal, green, or black teas in various flavors. I present a selection of all types in a dedicated flatware tray, so that my guest has quite a wide choice.