by Hanna Joseff

Created on: November 25, 2011

Loneliness is a simple word but with broad meanings. There are many definitions to describe loneliness. It could start off with the core roots, with both literal and metaphorical meanings. The direct insinuation is when someone feels alone, he is without anyone in the world to cater to his or her life. That could be seen and said with the naked eyes but on the other hand, loneliness holds a deeper level of meanings on many aspects.

When it comes to reflections of loneliness, there is never a direct meaning to it. Imagine a situation whereby one is surrounded by peers and acquaintances in a large room with talks looming and at the same time feeling that they are alone. So alone and not connected to any of it. They could be laughing and smiling but deep down they feel like there's a sense of non conformity about something. This core feeling of loneliness, it could also be described perfectly in movies. For instance, in a scene whereby the main character feels totally out of place in a situation filled with many happenings. Is loneliness something created by an individual or as others depict it to be?

If you ask me, I'd say loneliness is nothing but a state of mind. You could stand alone in the middle of nowhere or with a crowd and be extremely comfortable with your individuality or you could try to blend in with a crowd in which you feel like you cannot connect. And truth be told, the roles could be reversed too. In other words, loneliness is definitely a deep thought, not to be misconstrued by what others would think of it. To be in touch with oneself, he/she needs to be alone and see whether they can survive without being in the rat race. And when I say rat race, it means the human conditional aspect. Everybody is comfortable to be amongst friends and families, but given a choice, one would tend to wonder what it would feel like being alone, totally in solitary mode. Would they appreciate the condition, or would they be disapproving of the situation. Can one cope being alone, and if so does the word loneliness has got something to do with it or not.

It could also be that loneliness is matched with the term void. Void of feelings or emotions, totally in a neutral position without any ruckus. Therefore the analogy that whether one is comfortably alone or surrounded by others have totally different entitlements to it. The literal word is that when someone is alone, it means without anyone in the world to fend for or to care for them. But on a deeper meaning are they contented is another story altogether. So that goes to show that you can be surrounded by many in your life, but the loneliness can still seep through. Hence the theory in numbers simply do not overrule loneliness.

To understand the real meaning of loneliness takes real understanding of the angles and causes. Question is, can one go through it and say that they are lonely? Do they feel like they are succumbed with loneliness? Purely state of mind, if you ask me. It takes a good self experiment to find out in some cases. Hence, I believe in the connection of how people who take time to travel by themselves individually to refine the bigger meaning in itself and find out. Only then would one be able to get in touch with themselves and see the bigger picture in a nutshell perspective. This is my reflection on this subject. Loneliness only seeps in if you let it take over your life. It is nothing but a shadow of emotion like the feeling of seeing a ghost or somewhere close. You decide your life and how you choose to see the light you are in. It is nothing but a term, unless you let it rule your life in any kinds of conditions.

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