Loneliness has many faces. There is the loneliness of loss, loss of a life partner, a child, a vocation. When we suffer a significant loss of another person cherished life patterns are gone, our history changed, a new begining is forced on us.
When we lie or shade our truth we suffer another form of loneliness. The lies of others bring on mistrust, but our own lies mean that we will never be known as we are, condeming ourselves to a life of loneliness.
A life without love loving another freely, or being loved brings a crisis in self-esteem. Our ability to love and be loved is nurtured in childhood in acts from learning rituals of appreciation to experiencing unconditional acceptance. You can read more about the experience of loveless loneliness.
Loneliness is complicated when a person is addicted to mind altering substances and sometimes even by the overuse of non addictive mood altering substances. These substances can be covering psychological problems or confuse the user as to what his or her real personality is. Learn more about how substances affect an individual by adding to loneliness.
For some people solitude quickly brings on loneliness. Others need long periods of solitude to be comfortable with an active life. Do you and your significant other have differing needs for solitude?