What to do about loneliness as a single
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What to do about loneliness as a single? The 10 best tips

It’s Friday night and you’re sitting on the couch. The weekend is just around the corner  â€“ you think to yourself. But instead of being excited about it, you have this oppressive feeling in your chest. Because you haven’t planned anything for the weekend and don’t have anyone special to spend it with. You feel lonely. Damn lonely. And you’ve been for a while. What can you do about loneliness as a single person?  â€“ you ask yourself…

Even if your situation seems a bit helpless, believe me, it’s not. There are plenty of things you can do that will quickly improve the feeling of loneliness. I’m here to help you with this article.

What is loneliness?

Loneliness is a feeling that most of us experience at some point in our lives. It can be perceived as a deep emptiness, isolation, or separation from others. It’s important to remember that loneliness is not the same as being alone.

For example, you can be alone and still be completely happy. Or you can be in a room full of people and still feel extremely lonely.

Experts distinguish between three different types of loneliness:

Social loneliness

Man is lonely because he is excluded from group

This form of loneliness is characterized by the fact that you are not part of a social group.

For example, you may have few or no friends, find it difficult to build relationships at work, and generally have problems making contacts.

Emotional loneliness

This is about the deep and intimate relationships you long for. This also applies if you feel lonely as a single person and long for a partner.

Collective loneliness

People with this type of loneliness feel excluded from society because, for example, they have a different culture or come from a foreign country.

They have problems adapting to the new culture and therefore have few contacts.

When do singles feel lonely?

Singles can feel lonely for a variety of reasons. Understanding these reasons can help you better understand your feelings, which in turn can help you seek solutions and ways out of loneliness.

1. Evenings & weekends

Man sitting alone on the couch in the evening

Many singles feel particularly lonely in the evenings and on weekends. These are typically times when people enjoy spending time with a partner or friends.

It can happen that you sit on the couch and wonder who you could share all these moments with.

Holidays are also often times when loneliness strikes – while others are surrounding themselves with partners or family members, you may suddenly feel very alone.

This also includes small moments in everyday life: like a nice experience that you would like to tell someone about right away or simply the desire for a hug after a stressful day.

2. After a breakup

If you were previously in a relationship, it is normal to feel lonely after a breakup and to wonder what you can do about this loneliness as a single person.

You suddenly find yourself in a completely new life situation as a single person and have to go through a lot of changes. Not to mention that you’re already dealing with heartbreak and the pain of a breakup .

3. When comparing with friends

Man looks at social media and feels more lonely

Do you only see friends on your Facebook or Instagram feed who recently got engaged, are expecting a baby, or are getting married? This can also lead to loneliness among singles.

You secretly wish to finally find your personal happiness, but unfortunately it is still a long way off.

4. In difficult moments

Life is full of ups and downs, everyone knows that. However, the difficult and challenging moments are easier to bear when you can share them with a partner who is there for you.

Therefore, it may well be that you feel particularly lonely as a single person in such moments.

5. When you long for physical closeness

Everyone has the need to be intimate and physically close to another person. If you’re wondering what to do about loneliness as a single person, you might feel the same way. You miss those cozy evenings on the couch and those passionate kisses.

How can you overcome the feeling of loneliness as a single person?

Loneliness isn’t a permanent condition, and there are many ways to overcome it and fully enjoy your single life. Here are a few tips to help you get rid of the feeling of loneliness:

1. Take control of your dating life

Man approaches woman on the street

Grab the rudder of your sinking ship and decide where you’re headed! The fact is, it will take much longer to find happiness if you wait for your dream woman or man to suddenly walk into your life.

However, if you are active, the whole process will go much faster.

Try online dating , learn how to approach women on the street , or even book a coaching session to catapult yourself out of loneliness immediately.

2. Be open to new encounters

You never know who you might meet where. Be open and curious, whether at the supermarket , the gym , or an event.

New friendships and acquaintances can arise anywhere. If you internalize this, you’ll walk around in a completely different way and have a completely different effect on the people around you.

3. Enjoy time with yourself

Of course, it may take some time to find a new partner, even if you pull out all the stops. In the meantime, however, you should try to enjoy some time alone. There are a few things you can do that will also help if you’re wondering what to do about loneliness as a single person:

4. Spend time with friends or family

Friends playing volleyball on the beach

Good friends and family are worth their weight in gold! Spend more time with them, plan activities together, and be there for them. Having the right friends around you will immediately make you feel better.

5. Discover new hobbies

Find a new hobby or rediscover old passions. Whether it’s sports, art, or cooking—there are endless ways to fill your time meaningfully and maybe even meet new people along the way.

6. Set personal goals

Many people find that setting new goals and achieving them helps when they feel lonely. So try this too! Set goals, big or small, and work toward them. This will help you feel proud of yourself.

7. Take care of yourself

Also, do things that make you feel good. Whether it’s a relaxing bath, a good book, or a walk in nature—take good care of yourself and enjoy life’s little pleasures.

8. Create a routine

A good routine can give you structure and support in your daily life if you’re wondering what to do about loneliness. Plan your day and fill it with activities that bring you joy and keep you occupied.

9. Pay attention to your social media consumption

Man looks at his phone and considers whether to check social media

On social networks, it can quickly happen that you constantly compare yourself to other people, which makes you feel even more like you are failing in life.

Much of what’s on social media is a perfect world that’s simply faked. So be aware of what exactly you’re looking at and what effect it has on your mood.

10. Accept your feelings

It’s okay to feel lonely sometimes. Accept these feelings instead of suppressing them. Learn to understand them and work on feeling better.

If you lock yourself at home and constantly suppress your emotions, your loneliness will never improve because you won’t meet new people.

It’s perfectly okay to feel lonely as a single person and is by no means a sign of weakness. You’re only human, and that’s part of experiencing all kinds of emotions.

How long does loneliness last as a single person?

Even though loneliness is extremely unpleasant and can sometimes feel like it will never end, you should remember that this is just a phase in your life.

Some people can quickly return to their old self and overcome loneliness after a loneliness-inducing event like a breakup or a move. Others, however, need more time to build new relationships and feel happy again.

However, it’s difficult to say exactly how long the loneliness will last, as it depends largely on what you do to combat it. It’s therefore all the more important that you follow my tips above and take your destiny into your own hands.

Hello! My name is Scarlett Walton — I’m a former practicing psychologist and now a writer dedicated to helping people find emotional balance, inner peace, and personal growth. For over 12 years, I worked in the field of psychology, supporting individuals through anxiety, relationship challenges, and major life transitions. My Professional Journey I began my career in a private therapy practice in Chicago, where I counseled adults and teens on self-esteem, anxiety disorders, and emotional healing. Over the years, I conducted more than 5,000 sessions, took part in educational programs, and led workshops of my own. But at some point, I realized I wanted to share my knowledge with a wider audience. That’s how this blog was born. A Personal Story A few years ago, I went through a painful divorce. It was a turning point in my life. I experienced the full spectrum of emotions I had helped others navigate for years. That was when I began to write. I felt a strong desire to reach out to those going through difficult times — even if we couldn't meet in person. Writing became more than self-expression for me. It became a continuation of my therapeutic work — through words, advice, personal stories, and emotional support from afar. The Mission of This Blog This blog is a safe space for anyone seeking answers, encouragement, or simply a bit of inspiration. I share not only professional insights but also real-life experiences, reflections, and practical advice rooted in years of practice. I truly believe that words can heal. If even one of my articles helps you feel a little more understood or a little less alone — then I know I’m on the right path. Welcome, stay awhile, and most importantly — be kind to yourself 💛