Wonder

Some people are willing to admit they are lonely. But if we are ever so increasingly surrounded by people, it makes us wonder, to what extent do we actually feel alone? I don’t think loneliness is a phenomena that happens solely in the company of oneself—we frequently notice an empty feeling sometimes even being around company. We then feel bad about it, as if there’s something wrong with us or something that is broken or sets us apart from the world. I do not think this is the case. The right company can make you feel positively loved and full of life. Inasmuch, too much company with yourself can make you feel lacking and alienated from the rest of the world.

Herein lies an answer in the contradiction, and juxtaposition of our sense of selves—the presence of a feeling of discomfort from being alone with ourselves has the same effect as being in the company of strangers, or even people we consider friends, who we feel don’t truly understand us. So in essence, if we struggle in being at home completely in ourselves, then is it really a stretch that we would feel ill at ease in the home of a complete stranger?

Thoughts like these creep into my head lately these days.