What to do When You Feel Lonely as a Single Mum

The thing I hear over and over from single mums is that they feel lonely. They may be surrounded by their kids constantly, but there isn’t anyone to share it with. Share the good, funny moments with and share the challenging, sad moments with.

On the opposite end, there’s the single mums who has to let her kids go to their dad’s house for a weekend and doesn’t just feel alone but is alone for 48 hours.

At that moment, whether you’ve got kids running through the house or a suddenly quiet house, what do you do to stop feeling so lonely? Stop the rollercoaster of emotions that will lead to nowhere good – fast?

WRITE

Write a journal or write a card to a family member or friend. You could even start a blog.

The process of writing will slow your brain down and force you to concentrate. Slowing your thoughts can be especially helpful if you find yourself feeling anxious or catastrophizing (imagining scenarios where the worse will happen.)

CONNECT

Sometimes all it takes is talking to another human being to bring your mood back up. Text a friend or call your mother.

If neither of those options is available to you, try going on a walk in a park where other people will be and simply making eye contact and saying hello to a few people. Getting out will enforce to yourself that you are not alone.

VOLUNTEER

Find someone who needs help more than you. There’s always someone in more need than ourselves.

When we take the spotlight off ourselves and focus on someone else, we find our problems seem much smaller. Whether it’s a few small acts of kindness or volunteering at a shelter, there’s always an opportunity to serve other people.

EXERCISE

Depending on the extent of your loneliness, this may be hard to do but exercising will release endorphins that will naturally increase your mood. If at all possible, get your heart rate up for at least 20 minutes and get outside.

Even better, bring along a friend if you can. If you don’t have enough energy for exercise, consider yoga to get the benefit of slowing your breath down.

GET CREATIVE

Pick up an old art project, or go to your local craft store and see what intrigues you. Just like writing engages a different part of your brain, creativity will too.