Member-only story
Loneliness is not my enemy; it’s my X-factor
I’m an introvert by default. I restore my energy in solitude. Quarantine for the foreseeable future? Sure. Work from home? Easy! Or so I thought. As someone who has mastered the art of being alone, from only child to international solo traveler, I’ve never felt so lonely in my life.
The pandemic forced me to downsize my social network. Although I’m an introvert, I’m quite social. I’m a performing artist, dahling! I live for the applause! I miss going to concerts, dancing, and losing myself in a sea of eclectic care-free San Franciscans. I miss my people, particularly acquaintances: a forest of familiar faces outside of my chosen family on whom I can rely for chance street encounters and conversation. Their daily presence adds a lot of value to my life because they remind me I’m part of something bigger.
So here I am, just me and this feeling of loneliness. It comes in waves. I’ll often do an urban hike or work on an exciting art project, and when the joyful day is done, loneliness awaits.
I learned that loneliness isn’t meant to be eradicated. Loneliness is a reminder of our X-factor: that intangible aspect of one’s existence that makes one unique.
Humans can’t thrive without connection. We long to be represented in others so that we don’t feel lonely anymore. But the hard truth is no human…
