Love From a Distance: The Reason for the Modern Day Loneliness Phenomenon
“Explore the profound journey of enduring mental illness and the isolation it brings in ‘Echoes of Solitude.’ This reflective piece delves into the personal battles with loneliness, the struggles of maintaining relationships, and the poignant reality of feeling distant even from those we love. Discover insights on how small efforts can bridge the gaps of isolation and bring genuine connections back into our lives.”
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Seven years — seven long and painful years. That’s how long I’ve gone to war with mental illness to save my life. Well, the life of family and joyous connection with those I love most. But like the days of the first human flight, I have failed.
Nowadays, loneliness has become the only thing I know. Misery, the mental disease, slowly takes my strength to keep going. I may not look withered and fragile, but on the inside, my battle to keep going down the road to mental wellness is met with my hands and knees — crawling in hopes that my dream of love and family will come true.
It looks as though I am near the end. If only I would have succeeded, all the therapy, the endless attempts at finding the right medications, and all the fitness would have been enough to dig me out of the darkened caverns, the torture would have all been worth it. Alas, when you’re near the finish line and there is no promise of the things you’ve fought for, you might as well have been fumbling around in the desert.
Today’s world is met with love, but at a distance. A mistake by all accounts, yet it seems to be preferable. Not only does it seem preferable, but it is also heavily defended. For one reason or another, modern families use words like, “I’m too busy” or “Sorry I didn’t get back to you, I just didn’t have the time.” And feel these are legitimate excuses. But if there’s any form of legitimacy to be had here, it’s that time will take the ones you love.
Oddly, people have never been so lonely, at least in modern times. But here’s the thing about loneliness — it can be circumvented with a little sacrifice, kindness, and appreciation for those who have unequivocally loved and supported you and cared for you. If you find yourself in this unintentional selfish-like state, fear not, as it is easy to remedy. Simply make the effort to connect.
Why this is of the utmost importance is because saying “I love you” is simply insufficient. Like any relationship, whether it be parent, child, lover, or friend, effort is the antidote for the killer we call loneliness. Three hours a week is all it takes; three hours out of 168 hours in a week is little sacrifice to cure your feelings of isolation, anxiety, and sadness.
But like good exercise, diet, and sleep, we are resistant to all things that we need to live happy and fulfilled lives. The bottom line here is that, regardless of how busy you are, those whom you love from a distance are mortal and will not always be here to hold, to have a great meal with, to enjoy holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving.
Yet, despite this harsh reality, I wake up every Christmas alone, I seldom get calls that say, “I was just thinking about you and wanted to say I love you.” No one pops in for coffee and if I am sick, I must suffer through it all alone.
And when all is said and done, those who love me from a distance think that’s enough, but when lying alone sick and all but done, this love from a distance is simply not enough.
So, go hug and be with those you care about, you need them just as much as they need to be with you.
