[Ali]

Women often face loneliness in ways that aren't always talked about—sometimes, even when we’re surrounded by people.

Like, we’re expected to have huge friend circles and social lives, but that just isn’t always the case. And it can be hard to connect with other women, too.

If you’ve ever felt this kind of loneliness, this might speak to you: https://www.rootsofloneliness.com/lonely-women

How do you handle loneliness, especially as a woman? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

[SummerDay]

I think it's hard to make friends as a woman. Or maybe as just me. I guess I handle it by just internalizing everything and kinda sticking to myself. I think I'm a bit of a loner in that respect.

I do want deep friendships, but I'm not really sure how to find them? I don't have kids, I'm unmarried, not really into dating or anything, so it feels like I've got everything working against me as far as having a social life.

[Ali]

Yeah, I get that. When my kids were still in school, I got active in some of the school groups and met some people that way. One group, I'm still tight with and we get together once a month or so for dinner and catching-up, even though almost all of our kids have been out of school for some time.

Since my family moved to a new city (40 minutes away), we've been getting involved in local groups to meet people and build more of a social life. In our case, we joined the local makerspace and have met people there, and we're looking at volunteer opportunities and stuff as well.

Not sure what is around you, but volunteer opportunities might be a great way to just meet people. And since you're all there for the same purpose (whatever the volunteering is), it sort of breaks the ice a bit. Plus you get to work toward a good cause.

I know there are local "ladies groups" around me but... those can be hit or miss. Sometimes they're really clique-y. :/ I don't know that I'm going to really look into that.

But local pet adoption agencies, homeless shelters, women's shelter organizations... those are good causes and (I think) great places to meet folks that care about the same things you do.

[SummerDay]

Hah, I feel you on the women's groups. No thank you. I think I was scarred in the past by female friendships and just imagine ladies' groups as being catty and cliquey.

I do like the idea of volunteering though. I'd thought about it, off and on, but never followed through. I love animals and working at a local no-kill shelter might be a nice way to help, spend time with them, and meet others at the same time.

[Weighty]

I do think from the women I've spoken to including my mom, is that there also seems to be a social component to this along the lines of introvert/extroverness -- meaning, a lot of men more so than women, tend to be introverts, so their need for social interaction, and therefore, feelings of loneliness, seem to be less heightened.

Sure, we all need social interaction and friendships, but when our need for these interactions is less frequent, signs of loneliness and feelings of isolation become less pronounced.

I've found that many more extroverts -- including men -- experience a sense of loneliness more quickly, easily, and frequently, regardless of gender. However, this also affects women who are more social, extroverted, and grew up in a similar environment, compared to men who often participated in more solitary activities.