During my college days, my friend lost her father. Honestly, I lack words to capture the raw emotions experienced during this time. Most of us can attest that the pain from the loss of a loved one is excruciating. However, in my comforting nature, I brought together a group of friends to help my friend cope. Ironically, we noticed that she functioned better alone. Our presence seemed to make things harder rather than easier. Puzzled? Eventually, we decided to pull back and let her deal with the situation as she desired. It worked. She appeared happier, organized, and collected alone. I learned not having friends, at times, is a form of happiness.
It’s Ok…not to have friends
Are you feeling lonely and lost without friends? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. It can be difficult to make friends, especially when you’re going through a tough time. But you can be happy without friends, and there are ways to cope with this phase without damaging your self-esteem or sinking into depression.
Ever felt as if people no longer get you? That you’re stuck in a phase where friends should make things easier but instead they become a measure of happiness? If you answered yes to both, then you are not alone. We’ve all been there.
The truth is, friends, come and go. And that’s OK. What’s important is that you learn to be happy without them. Here are some tips on how to be happy without friends
1. Don’t take it personally
When friends start to distance themselves, it’s easy to take it personally and think that there’s something wrong with you. But the truth is, people change and drift apart all the time. It doesn’t mean that there’s anything wrong with you, so don’t let it get to you.
2. Accept that you’re alone
It’s OK to be alone. In fact, it can be very liberating. Once you accept that you’re alone, you can focus on enjoying your own company and doing things that make you happy. Your happiness solely depends on you!
3. Focus on your own happiness
Friends shouldn’t be the only source of happiness in your life. You can be happy without friends and there are plenty of other things that can make you happy, so don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Focus on your hobbies, passions, and goals. Do things that make you happy and fulfilled.
4. Don’t compare yourself to others
It’s easy to compare yourself to others who seem to have more friends than you do. But remember, everyone is different and everyone has their own unique path to follow. Don’t compare yourself to others, focus on your own journey.
5. Be confident
If you’re confident and comfortable in your own skin, people will be drawn to you. Being confident doesn’t mean being cocky or arrogant. It simply means accepting yourself for who you are and being comfortable in your own skin.
6. Be kind
Kindness is a very attractive quality. When you’re kind to others, they’ll be more likely to want to be friends with you. So don’t forget to be kind, even when you’re feeling alone and rejected.
7. Enjoy your own company
Don’t wait for friends to do things with you, enjoy doing things on your own. Go explore, travel, and enjoy your own company.
8. Don’t be afraid to reach out
If you’re feeling lonely, don’t be afraid to reach out and connect with others. Join a club or group, go to social events, or even just strike up a conversation with someone new. You never know who you might meet and what friends you might make.
Be your own happiness
Don’t wait for friends to make you happy, be your own happiness. Find things and habits that make you happy and relieve stress, and do them to help you be happy without friends. Be confident, be kind, and enjoy your own company. And don’t forget, friends, come and go, but you’re always the one in control of your own happiness.
Take care!
Effects of having no friends
From a point of deep love and care for our audience; make friends whenever possible. It might sound like a piece of advice from our parents but it is for your well-being. Human beings are social animals. This means that we cannot live without interacting with each other. It is essential for our mental and physical health to have friends.
Loneliness has a profound effect on our physical health. According to the American Association for Retired Persons, social isolation and loneliness can increase the risk of high blood pressure by 30%, heart disease by 29%, obesity by 32%, and dementia by 60%.
Moreover, research conducted at Brigham Young University found that social isolation can increase the risk of premature death by 26%. The study also found that people who had strong social relationships were 50% less likely to die during the study period than those who didn’t.
Loneliness also has a negative effect on our mental health. According to a study published in the journal Perspectives on Psychological Science, social isolation can lead to cognitive decline. The study found that socially isolated individuals performed worse on tests that measured their memory and processing speed than those who were not socially isolated.
Moreover, loneliness can also increase the risk of depression. A study published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry found that people who were lonely were more likely to develop depression than those who were not.
Strike a balance
Remember that friends are important, but they should not be the measure of your happiness. You are worthy and valuable just as you are. And it’s perfectly okay to enjoy your own company. In fact, spending time alone can be very beneficial for your mental health.
All in all, as I learned, it’s OK to feel happy even without friends.
