A Silent Cry for Help: the Loneliness Epidemic
Loneliness is something we all face at some point and in today’s world, it seems more common than ever. With so many of us spending hours online, it’s easy to feel disconnected, even in a world that's more digitally connected than ever. Nowadays, there really seems to be a loneliness epidemic. The pandemic certainly didn’t help—lockdowns and social distancing left many feeling isolated. For some, it became hard to reconnect afterward. It’s a struggle many of us can relate to, but the question remains: is the challenge of reaching out to others more difficult than the heaviness of loneliness itself?
People can also feel lonely at many different stages of life. Graduating high school, starting university, moving to a new city, breaking up with a significant other, divorcing a spouse are just a few ways that can lead to loneliness. The death of a loved one can also make even the happiest people feel isolated. Being lonely is a tough emotion to handle, but it can be overcome. I've got some suggestions on how to deal with this current loneliness epidemic.
The Difference between Loneliness and Being Alone
There’s a big difference between being lonely and being alone, though the two often get mixed up. Being alone is just a fact—you’re by yourself, no one else around. It can be peaceful, even empowering, like when you take yourself out for coffee or spend an afternoon overindulging in your favorite show. Loneliness, though, is more of a feeling, and it can creep in even when you’re surrounded by people. It’s that ache of disconnection, like something’s missing and it doesn’t always go away just because you’re in a crowd.
You can be lonely in any relationship too, including (or especially) a marriage. The trick is realizing that being alone doesn’t have to mean being lonely. It’s all about how you connect with yourself and the world around you. If you can make yourself, your best friend, then you'll never be lonely again.
How to Make Yourself Your Best Friend
Making yourself your best friend is one of the most important—and often overlooked—steps in overcoming loneliness. It’s about developing a relationship with yourself that’s just as supportive, kind, and loving as the one you’d have with your closest friend. The key is to treat yourself with patience and understanding. Start by carving out time to be with yourself in a way that feels nourishing. Whether it's journaling to explore your thoughts, going for a walk to clear your mind, or diving into a hobby you’re passionate about, make sure it’s something that brings you joy and peace.
Taking Control of Negative Self Talk
Don’t be afraid to talk to yourself like you would to a friend. When that inner critic starts to speak up, replace it with kind words and gentle encouragement. Instead of beating yourself up for not being perfect, celebrate your achievements—no matter how small they seem. Maybe you got out of bed when it was hard, or you made a healthy choice when you were feeling low. These moments matter, and they deserve recognition. You can also imagine you're washing away all the negative self talk in a waterfall, when that negative flows starts happening. Alternatively, imagine a stop sign and tell that part of yourself to be quiet. It's your head and you control what you think.
Forgiving Yourself
Another big part of being your own best friend is forgiveness. Everyone messes up, and we all make mistakes—what matters is how we move forward. Don’t dwell on your flaws or past missteps; instead, offer yourself the same grace you’d offer a friend who’s struggling.
As you build this inner friendship, you'll find that your relationship with yourself becomes more stable and fulfilling. When you become your own biggest cheerleader, your mindset shifts, and you start to radiate confidence and positivity. And here's the magic part—this new energy will naturally attract people into your life who value you for who you truly are. So, rather than seeking external validation, you’ll find that when you’re at peace with yourself, the friendships you form will be deeper, more authentic, and genuinely fulfilling.
Making Yourself Your Best Friend
Making yourself your best friend is all about treating yourself with the same kindness and patience you’d offer someone you love. Talk to yourself like you’d talk to a friend, ditching the harsh self-criticism for some supportive pep talks. Celebrate your wins, no matter how small. The more you learn to enjoy your own company and appreciate who you are, the easier it becomes to build that solid, unshakable friendship with yourself.
When you're truly genuine with yourself, you'll naturally attract genuine friends. The more authentic and true you are to who you really are, the more you’ll find people who resonate with that energy. It’s like the law of attraction—what you put out into the world is what comes back to you. So, if you’re open, honest, and real with yourself, you’ll start drawing in the kind of friendships that are meaningful and fulfilling. It’s all about being authentic, because when you're your true self, that’s when the right people will start showing up.
Astrology and the Loneliness Epidemic: Insights from the Stars
Astrology can offer some profound insights into loneliness and the loneliness epidemic. If you explore your natal chart and the planetary placements that shape your journey, you may find some reasons for your loneliness in your birth chart. Your chart reflects more than just your personality. It holds the keys to understanding your relationship with yourself and others. Placements like the North Node and Venus in the 12th house give insight into your your Soul's experience of loneliness.
The 12th House of the Subconscious and Isolation
The 12th house is often linked with solitude, self-reflection and hidden emotions. If you have Venus or the North Node here, you may feel a sense of disconnection or isolation at certain points in your life. These placements often indicate a deep need for self-discovery and may draw you into periods of solitude. Whilst this is challenging, it can lead to spiritual awakening. In this sense, loneliness can be seen not as something to avoid, but as an opportunity to uncover hidden parts of yourself and to build a deeper connection with your inner world.
Transits Contributing to the Loneliness Epidemic
Similarly, oppositions in your chart, like Venus opposite Saturn or the Moon opposite Neptune, can magnify feelings of disconnection. Additionally, there can be a push-pull feeling between wanting closeness and needing boundaries. If you’re feeling lonely, look to these aspects in your chart for clues about what may be blocking you from truly connecting with others. Understanding the dynamics between planets in your chart can help you reframe loneliness as an opportunity to grow—emotionally, spiritually, and relationally.
Saturn and Venus Transit the 12th House
At the time of writing both Saturn and Venus are transiting the 12th House. This gives a blend of structured self-reflection and compassionate love energy - it's time for some time out. Neither of these planets are completely at ease in these placements and this dual transit could manifest in the following ways:
Balancing Love and Boundaries:
While Venus brings a sense of compassion and openness to love, Saturn demands responsibility and maturity. This could lead to a more mature understanding of love and relationships, where you learn to set healthy boundaries. Simultaneously you can still be open to giving and receiving love. You may find that your relationships become more grounded and real, with a stronger sense of self-awareness and emotional depth.
Spiritual Self-Love:
Saturn’s discipline combined with Venus’ nurturing energy can help you build a solid foundation of self-love. You may feel a strong desire to work on your spiritual and emotional health, focusing on developing a deeper connection with yourself. This could be a time for deep healing, where you learn to love yourself more fully and authentically.
Healing from Past Relationships:
With Saturn’s influence, there may be some necessary closure with past relationships, especially those that have left emotional scars. Venus’ energy helps to heal these wounds through compassion and understanding. It could be a time of letting go of past relationships that were draining or unhealthy, making room for more positive and nurturing connections.
Isolation and Solitude as Healing:
Both planets are transiting the 12th house, which is associated with solitude. You may experience a period of being more introspective, withdrawn, or isolated from others. However, this time of solitude is not a negative one. It offers you the opportunity to heal and transform on a deep level, allowing you to come out of this period stronger and more connected to your true self.
By understanding the astrological placements in your birth chart, you can gain clarity on why you might feel lonely and how you can use these moments for growth. Even though there's a loneliness epidemic at the moment, doesn't mean you have to get caught up in it. You are a unique immortal spirit and astrology can help you focus on those parts of yourself that need attention and some TLC. Astrology doesn’t just help you understand your connections with others— most importantly, it helps guide you toward embracing the solitude needed for personal transformation.
More Ways on How to Deal with the Loneliness Epidemic
Making new friends can be a great way to combat loneliness and lessen the pressure of being alone. By adding new people to your inner circle, you surround yourself with a wider array of personalities. This will give you more opportunities to get out of the house and into the social scene. Quality and quantity are both important when meeting new people; the more friends you have, the more experiences you’ll be subjected to.
However, making quality friends is equally important. Here's a few ways on how to deal with loneliness by meeting people who will mesh well with your personality:
Explore your untapped hobbies
- Do you pride yourself on your artistic talents? Take a painting workshop. Are you trying to explore your faith or strengthen your spiritual beliefs? Try visiting a spiritual group or meditation group. By participating in activities that you enjoy, you’ll meet new people who like to do the same things you do.
Sign up for a gym
Joining a gym is beneficial in many ways. Not only will it encourage you to exercise, but by going to the gym on a regular basis, you’ll meet lots of other members. When you start seeing a familiar face over and over, invite them to a fitness class. Or plan to workout on the same days to establish a “gym buddy” relationship.
Volunteer
Working for a cause that means something to you is a great way to give back to your community and an excellent way to make new friends. Participate in a charity’s philanthropy event or even host your own. Soon you’ll be hanging out with fellow volunteers outside of the organisation’s events.
Play sports
Team sports are social in nature and provide endless opportunities to bond with your teammates. Practices, games and post game happy hours will fill up your schedule, and you’ll likely grow close to at least a few of your team members.
Join a meet up group
There’s a meet up group for just about any interest: singles, LGBT and spiritual development are just a few of the groups available, categorised by city. Visit to see what's going on in your area.
How Many Friends Should I Have?
When it comes to friendships, it’s not about how many people you have around you—it’s about the quality of the connections you share. A few genuine friends who truly get you and have your back are worth so much more than a big group of acquaintances. Quality friendships give you a safe space to be yourself, to laugh, vent, or share those deep, soul-searching conversations. They’re built on trust, respect, and mutual care, not just convenience or surface-level chitchat.
So, instead of spreading yourself too thin, focus on nurturing the friendships that feel real and fulfilling. In the current loneliness epidemic, fair weather friends are what you don't need. A handful of true friends can make your world feel a lot bigger than a crowd of hangers-on ever could.
It's Up To You
Meeting new people can be scary, but the outcome certainly outweighs the work you put in. By making it a priority to gain new quality friends, you’ll conquer any bouts of loneliness that set in and have a strong support group during a rough time or unsettling life event. To keep your relationships balanced, be sure to care for your friends just as well as they care for you. Do try to keep a reasonable balance in terms of friendships. It's not a great idea to put more into the relationship than the other person. Friendships are better when both parties treat each other with respect and equality.
Final Thoughts on the Loneliness Epidemic
Loneliness is something we all face at some point, but it doesn’t have to take over your life. It's normal to be lonely at some points in life even if it seems we have a loneliness epidemic at the moment. However, loneliness is also often a springboard for personal development and spiritual growth. Those quiet moments of isolation can be uncomfortable, but they’re also an opportunity to dive deeper into self-discovery and figure out what really matters to you.
Whether it’s exploring what astrology reveals about your connections, building a stronger relationship with yourself, or taking small steps to meet new people, there are plenty of ways to turn things around. Start by being your own best friend—because when you truly have your own back, everything else falls into place. Loneliness might feel heavy, but it’s really just a nudge to reconnect—with yourself, others, and life in a more meaningful way.
Loneliness is temporary, but the bond you build with yourself is lasting. Start there, and the rest will follow!
If you need someone to talk to now, choose one of our genuine psychics who are waiting for your call.
