Is loneliness in adulthood common?

One of the topics that is frequently discussed in the field of psychology is loneliness. However, it seems that for the sake of society, becoming an adult begins in one's 20s. It makes sense that in their 20s, significant social, physical, and economic changes take place.

Adulthood is also a stage in a person's psychological, cognitive, and personality development. You are not alone if you are now feeling lonely. It appears that we are talking about psychology here.

What Opinions Do Experts Have on Adult Age?

Intimacy vs. isolation is a new stage of psychosocial development that emerges organically in human existence as adults, according to psychologist Erik Erikson. Early adults, those who have only recently entered adulthood, often desire close relationships with other individuals. A person will feel alone and undervalued if the closeness is not reciprocated. Because of this, most people naturally begin developing committed love relationships throughout their adult years.

Why then do some people not succeed in achieving the social intimacy they desire? Erikson contends that the individual's capacity is the root of the problem. It can be claimed that their psychological development is hampered if they are unable to control the ego's power, which enables them to fulfill their desires.

Meanwhile, Carl Jung split adulthood into three stages: youth, middle age, and old age. According to Jung, entering adulthood is a stage of personality development that starts with the desire to explore, continues with the pursuit of moral integrity, and finishes with reflection on one's life.

Maturity is inevitable

When we consider what Erikson and Jung said, we realize that maturity is a stage of human development that is packed with difficulties. In the face of numerous unforeseen events pertaining to job, family, social relationships, and love, we will definitely require mental toughness.

How to Deal with Loneliness as an Adult

Regarding the issues we discuss in this article, a variety of life skills can be used to deal with loneliness as an adult, including:

Self-aware

Accepting reality is the best option. It's normal for you to experience these emotions as you get older. In fact, you regularly long for your childhood. These are all responses that happen in nature. You can use mindfulness meditation to deal with loneliness if you're still having problems expressing and accepting your feelings. Alternatively, if you enjoy writing, try keeping a journal or making a mood tracker to log your everyday emotions.

Making use of self-compassion

The definition of self-compassion is not feeling sorry for oneself, but rather allowing oneself to experience disappointment and other unpleasant feelings, acknowledging that one deserves support in the form of encouraging words, and forgiving oneself for past transgressions. Whether you like it or not, it will get harder and harder for you to find companions who share your interests as you get older. Additionally, when you're used to being around people that genuinely care about you, It's difficult to deal with loneliness, and you won't find a better companion on this road than yourself.

Become accountable for your own actions

Being responsible is a sign of mental maturity, as Daniel Whelan argues on Medium. Responsibility is not only tied to our jobs, but also to the societal circumstances we find ourselves in. Moreover, you will undoubtedly encounter new people during your uncertain adult life. Of course, their presence isn't always advantageous to you. Therefore, always remember to accept responsibility for your deeds. An easy one is to acknowledge your errors and apologize. The key is to take good care of yourself, but never hurt or cause harm to others. You will experience a spark of happiness in addition to making others happy.

Use self-care

Last but not least, remember to take the best possible care of yourself! Your sense of loneliness may increase your risk for physical sickness, self-destructive behavior, and mental disorders, including despair and anxiety. As a result, it is crucial that you look after both your physical and emotional health. Do not assume that practicing self-care requires excessive self-reward. Another way to practice self-care is to get enough sleep, work out frequently, or engage in enjoyable hobbies. The best strategy for overcoming loneliness is self-care.

According to a study conducted in the Netherlands by Nieboer, older persons who practice strong self-management, self-confidence, and a positive outlook can experience less loneliness. It stands to reason that young people should be able to overcome loneliness if older people can do so by taking care of themselves.

For most people, facing adulthood—let alone being alone themselves—will be exceedingly challenging. There is therefore nothing wrong with talking to a psychologist about your issues if you're feeling lonely. Everything you do to maintain your mental health is really important.

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