I yearn to sit with a friend—to rehash my day, laugh about the silly things, and delve into deep connection about the weighty things, but I haven’t had a best friend for a long time and it’s no one’s fault but my own.
When my life fell apart in my late twenties, all my friendships vanished except one. Building new, authentic, and connected relationships over the past fifteen years has proven to be like walking up a descending escalator—climbing toward closeness for awhile, then drifting downward again, as distance and busyness block the way.
I have friends, but not daily ones. There’s a distinct difference between a once-a-month connection and a close friend. Often, I sit alone in that chair at the end of the day and loneliness crushes me like a vice.
Being alone doesn’t cause loneliness,
but all lonely people feel alone.
Over the years I’ve pondered how to step onto the ascending escalator which takes me to a close friend…
I’m over at the MOB Society today, sharing about
Five Tips to Walking Through Loneliness and Finding a Friend.
I’d love to see you there and hear your thoughts..
Have you been feeling lonely lately?
What tip is your biggest challenge as you pursue finding a friend?
So beautiful and transparent Jacque, thank you. Really brave! I have a few deep, almost lifelong friendships that are long-distance – long phone dates! And many social media/”see periodically” friends – but it’s been a challenge after basically disappearing for four years (to bear witness to my parents’ illnesses/passings, then the grief).
It’s just too intense for most people, I understand. But yes, the beautiful mundane day to day that you describe (“What are you wearing?” “Look at that bird!”) – I had that with my Mom, and miss it dearly. Being pretty introverted, it takes me a while to build that sort of bond. It’s sort of a holy longing, though, after being in a more solitary space for the last few years.
Again, thank you. You have a wonderful sweet gift as an interviewer, and you tell a powerful story.