Combating Loneliness in a Post-College World

As we say our farewells to college, you may experience loneliness post-graduation. Either moving back home or to a new location for a new job will leave many graduates in a new environment and away from their friends and family. After four years of being surrounded by friends and different social groups, entering the workforce changes things. Graduates may live alone after four years of having friends and roommates at the tip of your fingers at all hours of the day. 

As a college student, there are plenty of activities and events to attend on the weekends to fill time in addition to homework. As a working adult, you have a completely different schedule and it can be a sudden change of pace. A decrease in social interaction inevitably leads to loneliness but there is still hope. 

Here are some tips on how to combat the post-college loneliness you may be experiencing: 

 

Make time for hobbies and get involved

In college, there is plenty of time for extracurriculars and it is effortless to get involved thanks to resources and events provided by your institution. Post-college, it may not be at the forefront of your mind but it’s essential to do your own research and reach out to organizations in your area. Whether it’s intramural sports or a professional organization, you will be with like-minded people and pursuing your passions within a community. 

 

Be realistic and re-evaluate your relationships with others.

College gives you community due to proximity. Once that factor is out of the equation, friends will disperse. This is completely natural. You have the opportunity to pursue the relationships you care about and let the lesser ones fizzle out. 

Some friends are here for a season or a reason and not necessarily an eternity. Adulthood is a great time to re-evaluate the relationships you have and decide what works for you and what doesn’t. Think quality over quantity.

Don’t allow social media to make you feel left behind. 

Social media creates FOMO on the regular for many but those feelings can be exacerbated when you feel isolated. Remember that everyone has their own timeline and people only post the highlights on social media. 

There is no rush to get the perfect job, get married, etc. Try to reduce the amount of time spent looking at others on social media and focus on filling your life with experiences and memories instead. Make an effort to go out and meet new people and try new activities rather than focusing on people on your timeline. 

With a world of possibilities ahead, there is no telling where life will take you. Embrace the unknown and take a leap even if it’s on your own. The right people will find ways into your life as you cultivate a life that’s fulfilling to you.