Learn to play a musical instrument. You will never be lonely!

Perhaps join a dance class to meet like minded, happy people.  There are several different salsa schools in town and there is salsa almost every day of the week somewhere in town.  This may be a bit out of your comfort zone but who knows it just might solve your "loneliness" problem forever :)

Yes, It is difficult this time. There is a group in facebook: Blokes and black dogs, managed by a nice guy named Carl, he runs sessions where people can discuss anything that bothers them: Mental Health as such, and loneliness can affect your Mental Health, so the group helps. Doesn't get you friends in a second, but people who you can talk about your concerns. Also as a personal note: having friends or go dancing doesn't mean that you don't feel lonely. You can feel lonely in a concert!. The solution is to be able to share with others iin the same situation and the group I mentioned above is very good. It helps to talk.

The person who feels lonely has to live though this feeling and emotions related to it instead of running away and getting yourself busy. Talking about it can help  But I would say not in a group of people but with a specialist who can guide him/her through the difficult time. 

It comes with the territory, I just keep myself busy seven days a week. Finding what I was passionate about and doing it consistently for several years completely flipped my mood once I started looking back at how far I had come. Finding 'it' takes lots of introspection and it will be different for everyone, but not every difficult situation has to be medicated away by specialists.

Excellent points Paul! Sounds like you got your life together! Stay strong dude!

Uta, thanks for your positive comments.

However, dogs are people's most "loyal" but very dependable companion. They can bring you joy and positive energy, but also suck energy out of you. You live around "their" schedule. They need space, they need you there, they need to be doing something, they require constant training etc etc.

So unfortunately not an ideal remedy for everyone I am afraid...

You need to know what you're getting into, before getting into it. Otherwise both parties will suffer...

I'm quite surprised (or not ...) how people do not get the point.

The question was about loneliness + end of the year, not about social life in general.

"End of the year" is Christmas, and even if you're not Christian, these holidays mean a time for family gathering. And sometimes, you don't have any family left, or they live too far, so no gathering for you, and you feel lonely because you're REALLY lonely.

And even if you get invited by friends, you're nothing more than the witness of their own family gathering, not yours. And it makes the feeling of loneliness even worse.

And even if you have a busy social life the rest of the year, a lonely Christmas IS a lonely Christmas.

Or you can even be part of a family gathering, and still feel lonely because a beloved one is missing and will never be back.

So Christmas is a hard time for many many people, and not because they don't dance salsa, do not have a guitar or a dog ...

One possible way out is to join a club or organisation which does something you want to do.  This means you are not looking specifically for friendship or companionship but just want to be around other people and enjoy yourself.  There are clubs for everything in Geneva and certainly not restricted to glocals where many of the people are passing through (ie might stay here a year or two) . Speaking French helps if you are thinking of integrating and if you do not there are plenty of language courses which will keep you busy.  I have especially not suggested anything because it is you who has to decide what interest you

I used to volunteer as a driver for Nez Rouge, great bunch of people and an excellent atmosphere (if you speak French).

There are also a lot of "associations" in or around your town,

But, one way to stave off loneliness in general is to do things...

Buy a cheap Digital SLR camera, join one of the photo groups on here.

As already mentioned, learn to play an instrument (you can get a decent cheap guitar for as little as Fr 150.- online in CH these days).

And again as already mentioned, maybe adopt a dog from the local shelter (not buy a puppy, shelter dogs need you as much as you need them).

Or, buy yourself a motorcycle and join a motorcycle club. Not only are bikes fun to ride, the people who ride are normally nice and friendly.

Good idea  Pat

I think it a great idea :-) !

Great idea Billie!

Peter,

I appreciate what you say. I had some tough Christmas seasons - but have found now to be happy and accept and nourished on my own, and if I am with anybody else, it is a bonus. It is ongoing inner work throughout the year. Anything else is a distractions and a bandaid, and you will find it empty and dissatisfying. Remember Christmas is just an artificial day. Do what comes from the heart to nourish yourself and give what comes from the heart from others. 

I will not be here or else would invite you. I hope others do .I know there is an event at Caroline's(hope I spelt that right).

Thanks for being real Peter. I am sure your post spoke to others. 

Welcome at Annecy markets event tomorrow if you like.

E

And remember - people can be in family and be lonely, people can be in relationship and be lonely, people can be in a crowd and be lonely. What you speak of is a deeper reflection of you life that is bought out by a festival. 

There is no quick fix that is satisfying - being well with yourself can be addressed over time, but the pain you speak of is real. That's wht I offer what can, to someone I don't know (Annecy Markets is the best I can do at this time).

I hope we can all be sensitive to others around us that may not feel connected and included, and I thank with sincerity though beautiful souls on glocals that watch out for others, all throughout the year.

E

And I'm quite surprised that you feel the need to invalidate what other people said to make your point...

Yes, severe cases of loneliness do exist. Does that mean that the many people who would really feel pumped up to get to meet new potential friends in an improvised gathering instead of feeling alone on X-mas eve don't matter?

Now, for the ones you describe, why not seeking medical help? Certainly nothing shameful to be treated for something that could lead to a depression.

Casuistik,

Hum ... I was trying to bring some compassion to this discussion, something less superficial, but I can understand some people do not understand compassion.

Fortunately some other do, as a few comments after mine above show ;)

And I never said that improvised gathering was not a good idea.

My bad. YOU brought some compassion to the discussion... So the other who spoke before you didn't?

Have you read what Roberto and Paul wrote?

Someone is pretty full of herself...

someone has shown his limits ...

As long as they include everybody... unlike yours... I'm fine...

Come to my Orphan's Christmas on the 25th - I've sent you a pm with all the info. Cx