When we feel as we have a void in our lives, we tend to buy things. But no matter how much we buy, it doesn’t quite fill the void or give meaning to our lives.
Here are a few ways to help you fill the void that loneliness or a difficult phase may bring so you can avoid the need for buying or collecting more material things.
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1. APPRECIATE THE BEAUTY OF THE WORLD AROUND YOU.
When you’re feeling depressed or anxious, instead of logging onto Amazon
or going to the mall and buying something, appreciate the beauty of the world around you.
Go outside and take a walk or bike ride or plant some flowers, and connect with nature and admire the beauty of the day.
2. HAVE NEW EXPERIENCES.
If you really want to buy something, consider “experiences” instead of physical items. Find new experiences to explore your city, like biking by the beach or the park or a walking tour around the city. Grab a few friends, and spend a few hours experiencing all that life has to offer.
3. CALL A FRIEND OR A RELATIVE.
When you’re feeling lonely or overwhelmed, nothing helps more than reaching out to a supportive friend or a relative. Share your experiences (or vent), and soon you’ll forget what you were anxious about.
4. JOIN A TEAM
Join a book club, a softball team, or volunteer at a church. Sharing new experiences on a team setting will help you feel more connected.
5.- JOIN THE GYM
Exercise at a gym around people. We often draw energy from being around others and it can even push you to focus on working out harder or longer.
6.- DO ACTIVITIES THAT YOU HAVE ENJOYED DOING IN THE PAST
We all have particular activities that we enjoy doing and that, at times, when we are not feeling well, we forget about doing again. Those activities could include connecting with nature, watching your favorite movie or tv show, reading a good book, cooking a meal for yourself or your family or/and friends, doing something creative like painting, or playing a board game with family or/and friends.
7.- SEEK THE HELP OF A COUNSELOR
Sometimes asking for the opinion of a trained professional is what helps us feel heard, which could help us deal with feelings of emptiness or loneliness. Counselors are trained to be good listeners, and to ask questions or provide feedback with the compassion and kindness that we might have lost for ourselves.
If you have limited resources to go to a counselor, consider going to your county’s health department and asking about the resources that are available for your income level. Some counties offer counseling services for free or with a payment/fee sliding scale depending on your income level or know of organizations that will provide counseling services for free or with a payment/fee sliding scale if you qualify. They may also know of support groups that you can attend and that are usually free.
Battling loneliness or feeling empty or with a void is a task all on its own, but we can prepare by asking ourselves if we are taking time in performing activities we enjoy.
With enough practice of doing things intentionally for your own well-being, your brain may relearn what it’s like to feel whole again.
To read about my new saving journey using the advice listed above click here.
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