Loneliness

Have you ever felt like you're on the outside of a big, happy circle? That’s usually when I show up. I am Loneliness, a feeling that visits everyone. I'm that quiet, heavy feeling you get when you’re the last one picked for the team, or when you see your friends having fun in a photo you weren't in. I am a feeling that can make you feel all alone, even in a crowded room.

I remember visiting a boy named Leo. On the 2nd of September, his best friend, Sam, moved to a new city, and everything changed for him. That next Monday at school felt strange and empty without his friend by his side. During recess, Leo just watched the other kids playing kickball. He wanted to join, but he didn't know how to ask without Sam there to help. I sat with him on the bench, making the playground feel a thousand miles wide. Leo felt invisible, and my voice whispered that maybe no one would ever want to play with him again. It was a tough day for both of us.

Leo sat with me for a few days, and I grew bigger and heavier inside him. But on Friday, something shifted. He remembered something his dad often said: 'Bravery is doing something even when you're scared.' He noticed a girl named Chloe sitting nearby, drawing a dragon in her notebook. Leo loved drawing dragons, too. He took a very deep breath, walked over to her, and said, 'That's a cool dragon.' Chloe smiled back at him, and they started talking about their drawings. As they talked, I started to shrink, becoming as small as a pebble.

You see, I'm not here to be mean or make you sad forever. I'm a signal, like a blinking light on a dashboard, telling you that you need a connection with someone. I'm the feeling that pushes you to be brave, just like Leo was with Chloe. I help you understand how important friends and family really are. My real job is to help you find your people. I continue to help people today by reminding them to reach out and build the friendships they need. My visit is just a reminder to find your way back to others.