Could you tell me a time you felt a little lonely?

It’s been like this for a little while, lonely. Although I wouldn’t say it’s a bad thing. You can still be lonely when surrounded by people or the loneliness that comes from being alone. I’ve recently found it’s a bit of both and although I am now at a place where I am embracing these feelings, there are days I’m unsure in these uncertain times but luckily can speak to my family.

I take myself for walks, I sit at night, I show myself music, films, books, I laugh at my daft quirks and I’m quite particular about how my bed is made so at least it’s just me making it. I talk to my dog, she is the best listener and I’ve really fallen in love with baking. I treat myself to coffee and I give myself a hug in the form of a warm pastry on a Saturday morning.

At the moment, I’m trying to figure out my new purpose and creative direction. Life is both an exciting and unknown journey but these are challenging times. I try reminding myself of the different challenges others face and tell myself that everyone’s days are full of ups and downs, it’s all part of the ride and it’s important for your wellbeing that you don’t forget that. It’s easy to criticise yourself but don’t be too hard on yourself, just do the best you can one day at a time. Sometimes, I really do need to try and take my own advice, I am my worst critic even in the best of times and when you have had a list of ambitions and goals as high as the roof tops set for yourself, all changed by recent events it can lead you to overthink, to worry, to doubt yourself and the future which can be incredibly hard to pull yourself back from doing...but you can do it.

The past few months have been about healing, tackling my worries head on and facing the reality of ‘what’s the worst that could happen?’ to actually accepting and coping when those things do happen. It’s been a time of really digging deep and becoming the best version of myself, being kinder to myself and kinder to those around me. Realising that if I can handle the loneliest of times then really I can handle pretty much anything going forward and you can too, these times are not forever. On the days you’re feeling anxious or a little bit lost then try to wrap up and take yourself to the beach, a walk, even pull on those running shoes and pound the pavement or just take it easy and treat yourself to a pastry, it gets easier.