Feeling lonely

All of us feel lonely or isolated sometimes. But if you're struggling to cope with loneliness, we're to help.

coping with loneliness at night

Loneliness can feel harder at night when it's quieter and there may not be anyone around for you to talk to. It can also be easier to think about things more, which can be especially hard if you've recently lost someone close to you, or if you're worried about something happening tomorrow.

However bad things seem now, there are ways to feel better. Take a look at the coping techniques on this page or try talking to young people who understand what you're going through on the message boards.

Make a comfort box

Fill your comfort box with all your favourite things. You could have photos of people you care about, inspirational quotes or song lyrics you like, your favourite snacks and gifts from someone you love. Turn to your comfort box when you're struggling.

Trusting others

If you’ve been hurt by people in the past, it can be hard to trust new people you meet. This can make you feel lonely. Over time, you’ll meet so many people that not every person will become a close friend. 

When you meet someone new, give yourself time to get to know them properly before you trust them. Think about what you like about them. If you can’t think of many good things about them, or aren't sure how you feel about them, this might mean that they're going to be just someone you know rather than a close friend.

Watch: Coping with loneliness

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Check out our message boards

Living in care or moving around

If you’re living in care or away from your family, you might feel that you are completely alone. But there are people who can help, and remember that we’re always here.

Moving out of your home, or moving in and out of care can be really stressful. It can also cause feelings of sadness. There are people who can help you find ways to cope and take positive steps to move forward with your life and not feel so lonely.

Find out more about asking an adult for help.

What you can do

If you're feeling lonely, you could:

Olly Alexander from Years & Years talks about opening up