Alone is a condition brought about by circumstances, and for the most part, is what it is. With large numbers of Americans finding out that “Home Alone” is not just the name of a popular movie, alone is becoming increasingly common and not a matter of choice.
Lonely is another matter. Wikipedia defines loneliness as a complex and usually unpleasant response to isolation. But it is possible to mitigate some of the adverse symptoms associated with loneliness. Remember when people had “pen pals”? Now, the same benefits can accrue through “digital pals”. Keeping busy, even in relative isolation, can be very helpful, get more exercise, read, use your computer to learn something new, the list is endless. What you do doesn’t matter, just do something, preferably regularly.
Remember, you can’t control the hand you’re dealt, but you can control how you play it.
Incidentally, nearly six years ago, I lost my wife of more than 55 years. There is a learning curve associated with understanding the difference between alone and lonely.
All comments and suggestions are welcome.
Walter J. Kirchberger, CFA