Anyone ever moved away from family and friends? How to not feel so lonely.

When I first moved away from home I just found that it takes a little time. It's a bit of a shock to the system at first so the loneliness can be a bit overwhelming, but after a few weeks you sort of just get used to it. I hope that you will, anyway. Just hang in there, it will get better...

Can you maybe Skype your family and friends?

Maybe also think about getting involved with some kind of group, like a sport or hobby. It's a good way of meeting people with similar interests and often people go out of their way to extend the hand of friendship to newbies.

 

Grad school? Does that mean you're at a university? Must be loads to do on campus. Visit the student union and check notice boards to see what's going on. Hang around the phys Ed buildings or pool and watch practices. Is there a theatre dept? Are they doing any shows?

I was at university for far too long and didn't take advantage of almost anything that was going on - even though there were mandatory dues that I paid into!

I would start there if I were you.

 

Maybe get a nice pet that can be with you when you're down. Dogs are a man's best friend.

 

I moved away, to the same area as well (North Central WI) For school too.

I'm not going to sugar coat it. It sucked for a while for me. But I soon enough made friends, and now I have formed lasting friendships and relationships with lots of different people.

Like has been said get involved on campus, there is always lot's to do.

 

In my early 20s, I moved to another country on my own.
It was all very exciting at the start, but about 6 weeks in - I started to feel homesick and lonely.

It then took about 3 months to really settle in.

During those 3 months, I spent a fair bit of time online - chatting to people in the area.
Went on a few dates and to a few bars as well, just to see what would happen.

I also purposely went and spent some time in a backpacker hostel - where I could meet fellow travellers / out of towners.

I guess just KNOWING that the difficult time would pass (getting over the hump so to speak) really helped me to make the most of my time even though I wasn't feeling that great.

Starting a new life is pretty exciting.
Must say I'm a little bit envious.
Not having your past hanging over your head like an old dead goose.
There's nothing holding you back, you're free.
Every interraction you have will be with someone who sees you as you are now, not who you used to be.

If you don't feel like meeting new people just yet, maybe just try to get stuck into a new TV series or video game or something I guess. Eventually you'll get bored and your survival instincts will kick in and you won't be able to stop yourself from heading out and being a bit more social.

Peace! (*hug*)

 

Well, you need to get out of you room! :dry: Staying in there will definitely make you depressed as hell. Make a commitment to not go back there until one hour before bedtime most nights. You don't have to go out socializing, just be somewhere else.

I do a lot of traveling and am in you situation a lot. What I typically do is go to the mall, museum, park... someplace public. Then I go out to dinner and maybe stop at a coffee shop or bookstore afterward. Then I head out to a gay bar or nightclub. I find a spot at the bar and just sit and people watch. No need to worry about looking dumb or lonely, almost no one will notice you. Unless you are hot. Tip the bartender well and he'll give you the scoop on people. It's fun, give it a try.

 

You get used to the loneliness. But do try to join clubs or networks and meet people :>