Loneliness

Loneliness can be an incredibly isolating and painful experience, whether you're physically alone or surrounded by others who don't fully understand your emotional world. It can lead to feelings of disconnection, sadness, and even despair. But the good news is that loneliness doesn't have to be a permanent state. The natural purpose of feeling lonely is to get motivated to act on the feeling and connect with others. When something inside us is stopping us from doing this then it has roots in our personal history. With the right support, it's possible to break free from feelings of isolation and rediscover a sense of connection and belonging.

If you live far away from your family and friends it is no longer possible to meet them face to face and hug them. Different time zones can get in the way of impulsive phone calls and over time it is unavoidable that your everyday lives become different and you feel left out.

When you relocate local or abroad it is important to remember that it takes up to two years to feel rooted and integrated - in all life areas - in a new community. If you are a student abroad then you might easily find new friends fast so one part of your life area is optimal but if other parts of your life areas are dysfunctional then they will create bad emotions that can have an influence in other life areas.

Let me give you an example.

I work with the life areas below:

• Knowledge
• Work
• Relationship
• Home
• Friends
• Leisure time
• Body - physical & psychical
• Children
• Family
• Finances
• Soul/spirit

You are content with your decision on studying abroad because the school is good and you get financial support from your family to help with the rent and food. So at the moment Knowledge + Finances + Home is functioning. Children + Work are in the future planning and do not influence your situation today. But you have difficulties finding Friends to hang out with in the weekends so you begin to dread the long and lonely weekends already on Friday mornings. You feel moody and find it difficult to focus on studying. When you hear your fellow students making plans for the weekend you feel left out. The instability in Friends + Leisure time begins to influence your school time Knowledge + Body - physical & psychical.

In therapy and coaching, I offer a compassionate, non-judgmental space to explore the root causes of your loneliness. We'll work together to understand how past experiences, self-esteem, and personal beliefs might be contributing to these feelings. Often, loneliness is not just about being alone—it's about struggling to connect meaningfully with others, even in social settings. Through our work, we'll uncover any emotional barriers that may be preventing you from forming deeper, more authentic relationships.

Therapy provides the opportunity to process past hurts, heal emotional wounds, and develop healthier ways of thinking about yourself and your connections with others. Through guided conversations and proven therapeutic techniques, we can shift how you see your own value and worth, which is crucial in building the confidence needed to create new relationships or strengthen existing ones.

In coaching, the focus shifts toward actionable steps and personal growth. We'll identify and break through any limiting beliefs or habits that are keeping you stuck in loneliness. Whether it's building self-compassion, improving social skills, or learning how to set boundaries, I'll help you take consistent action toward creating a social circle where you feel truly seen and supported. Together, we'll create a plan to foster meaningful connections—whether through deepening your existing relationships or finding new social opportunities that align with your values and interests.

The work we do around loneliness isn't just about "finding people"—it's about learning to connect with yourself first. True connection with others stems from a deep sense of self-acceptance, and therapy and coaching are powerful tools to help you rediscover that. By transforming how you relate to yourself, you open the door to healthier, more rewarding relationships and a more fulfilling social life.

If loneliness is something you've been struggling with, know that it's possible to overcome it with the right support. Together, we can work to break down emotional walls, rebuild self-worth, and empower you to create the meaningful connections you deserve.