It's Not Weak To Not Want To Be Alone

As the days grow shorter, and the light consistently dims each day I find myself getting eerily nostalgic. 

When summer initially turns to fall, it brings out excitement and motivation for me, it almost feels like a new beginning, a fresh start. This always happens for me, at first, a fresh start, a chance to slow down and get cozy, and focus on myself, but with the speed that the sun starts to go down at night, my mood follows.

As the days shrink, the cold brisk becomes detectable, and the socializing dies down, the distractions lessen, and the negative thoughts have an easier time creeping in. The things that didn’t feel so heavy in the heat of summer, begin to loom over me and soon fight to take over, starting an endless loop in my head. 

“What am I even doing with my life?” “What does my future look like?” “I don’t feel good about the person I am” “Am I even a good friend?” “Is everyone disappointed in me?” 

After fighting the feeling for so long, pushing down the fact that I would do anything for my mom to hold me and tell me everything is going to be alright, or just simply wanting a big hug, because, well, I am an adult who chose to move to a different city than her, it isn’t wrong to want reassurance from someone you love. It isn’t weak of you to long for comfort. 

Especially when the climate around you starts to feel quieter, and further isolated as well. 

In fact, this means you're human. And humans aren’t meant to be alone for too long. We aren’t meant to navigate every one of our struggles solely by ourselves, at least without someone to voice it to. We need each other, and that is okay to admit. 

I used to pride myself on how much I loved being alone, I was under the impression that feeling lonely equaled weakness, that needing people around was desperate, however I came to understand there is absolutely no weakness in being lonely, and there is no strength in repeatedly choosing to be alone. 

What’s important to remember is that loneliness isn’t just an emotion, it weighs on both our minds and bodies. Research has shown that chronic loneliness can affect our health as much as habits like smoking or poor sleep, and yet, the antidote doesn’t have to be complicated. 

Reaching out for connection, even in the smallest ways, can shift our entire mood. A phone call with a friend or family member, saying yes to a walk, even chatting with someone at the coffee shop reminds us we’re part of something larger than our own inner storm. Especially in the darker months, these moments of shared warmth act like little lanterns, lighting the way forward until brighter days return.

We aren’t meant to weather every season alone, and most times the bravest and strongest thing you can do is reach for someone else’s hand in the dark. 

With that said, go hug your people real tight, call your parent or grandparent, tell your loved ones just how much you love and adore them, because a little love and affection goes a long way, especially right now.