Combatting Loneliness Through Comfort: How To Make Your Home Your Sanctuary

The Tea

From living abroad for work purposes to simply enjoying your own company, there are many reasons why you can favor the solo lifestyle. The solace and tranquility that come with it are definitely a bonus. At the same time, you may encounter occasional feelings of loneliness. They’re inevitable, but completely normal.

Loneliness doesn’t only root from living alone. Sometimes, we can feel lonely even when living with others. While the reasons may be numerous, loneliness often arises due to a lack of meaningful relationships.

No matter what the cause of your loneliness is, we’re here to guide you away from it. From learning how to be comfortable with being alone to overcoming it, we’ll be offering the insights you need to combat loneliness through comfort.

The Brew

How To Become Comfortable With Loneliness

The first step to overcoming loneliness is learning how to be comfortable with it. Only then can you shift your focus to other activities that make you feel better.

Stage 1: Acceptance. Loneliness is a common feeling and isn’t something to criticize yourself for.
Stage 2: Positivity. Start with a positive mindset. You can overcome these feelings and grow stronger from them!
Step 3: Embrace Solitude. Staying alone allows ample time for personal growth and self-reflection. Make the most of your solitude by focusing on these aspects.

How to Overcome Loneliness By Creating a Sanctuary

When designed thoughtfully, your home can become a sanctuary. A place where you feel loved, nurtured, and connected. Additionally— beyond design, several practices and activities can help you overcome loneliness.

Foster Connection in Your Interior

Before you move on to next steps, begin by fostering connection in your home. One way to do so is by learning how to make your sanctuary more comfortable and inviting:

Rearrange furniture items in a way that encourages face-to-face communication. One way of doing so will be by bringing seating areas closer together. Pro-tip: the Chinese tradition of feng shui suggests specific furniture positions to harmonize the energy flow in your home.
Create a communal dining area where you can invite friends or family for dinner. Creating a table setting of your choice may also help you feel better.
If you have family at home, encourage an open environment where everyone honestly communicates their feelings. Spend quality time with each other, and practice active listening so no one feels unheard. Creating family traditions (for example, a special meal every Friday night) is also a great way to foster connection.

Start an Urban Garden

Connecting with Mother Nature has soothing impacts. This is why gardening activities can give you a sense of purpose while fighting feelings of loneliness and stress. If you have ample garden space — or even a rooftop garden — you can start an urban garden of your own:

Test your soil and improve fertility as needed
Select plants that suit your area’s climate
Grow a test batch to see if your plant, vegetable, or fruit of choice truly is suitable for your garden. Reading up on plants’ growth and maintenance requirements can help you achieve success
Make small baskets, toss in some homegrown produce, and write handwritten notes inviting others to join your garden
Drop off the souvenirs at your neighbors’ and nearby friends’ places to spread the word

When your friends come join you for your gardening activities, you’ll have company, which will help you in overcoming loneliness. You can also consider houseplant varieties to create a tranquil environment indoors that makes you feel better.

Befriend Birds

Bring joy to your life by making new feathery friends. Doing so can introduce a sense of companionship and make you feel less lonely.

Install a birdfeeder on your balcony
Set a shallow container of water outside your home
Consider birdhouses to provide shelter
Practice bird photography — one of many hobbies you can adopt to keep yourself occupied

Find a New Hobby

Finding new things to do can help keep your mind occupied, and thus help you overcome loneliness. Make your home a sanctuary by practicing the following activities in it (you can also do these outdoors/in groups if you wish):

Practice yoga and exercise to invest in your health
Do volunteer work (an example of at-home volunteer work would be teaching the underprivileged)
Take an online course on a subject you love

Host Themed Meals

Having loved ones over is always a great way to feel better. Bonus points if you set a theme every time.

Host a “cultural exchange” dinner, where everyone brings one dish from their culture. You can exchange bites while learning more about other cultures
Invite friends over for a board game night, where everyone can play friendly board games while snacking on easy-to-put-together meals

The Pour

Combatting loneliness isn’t an overnight process. You have to give it ample time, and eventually, you will feel better. Who knows— you may even begin loving your own company!