The Universal Echo of Loneliness

Hey there,

If we’re meeting for the first time, I’m V. I’m here to share thoughts about life—what brings us joy, how we stay connected, and how we can give our spirits more stability and freedom. Today, I want to talk about something that feels heavier than ever in our modern world, especially in cities: loneliness. It’s a quiet, persistent feeling that sneaks up on you—even when everything looks fine on the surface. Sometimes, it’s there in a crowd, and sometimes, it’s just you and yourself.

I grew up in a small town in Croatia, where connection was a natural part of life. Moving to England seven years ago to study was a huge change. I was lucky to have a few friends from home, which made the transition easier, but it wasn’t long before I noticed how different life felt here. Back home, people leaned on each other. Life wasn’t about “efficiency” or rushing—it was about moments shared together, no matter how ordinary. I believe that deep within us, our souls long for this kind of connection.

The soul is curious, alive, and eager to grow through relationships and experiences. As children, we thrive in the warmth of others, naturally drawn to community. But as we grow older, life shifts. We start choosing who we surround ourselves with, prioritising careers or dreams, or simply trying to make sense of the world. Somewhere along the way, it gets harder to take risks—especially emotional ones. Friendships feel more difficult to make, trust takes longer to build, and often, we end up retreating into ourselves.

The older I get, the more I realise how much another soul’s presence matters. It’s in those unspoken connections—the shared laughter, the silent understanding, or even shared pain—that we feel most alive. But how often do we let those moments slip by?

It makes me wonder: how do we get so isolated? Is it that we give up on others, or do we give up on ourselves? Have we grown so attached to our own stories that we struggle to accept anyone who sees the world differently? It feels like somewhere along the way, we forgot the simple art of being with one another.

Modern life doesn’t help. We’re tied to screens, distracted by notifications, and consumed by worry. And in all of this, we miss out—on touch, warmth, and those invisible threads that weave us together.

I’ll share a small story that stuck with me. The other day, I was on the tube with a friend. We were eating some sweets, and I offered one to a guy sitting nearby. He seemed laid-back, but his reaction surprised me. He hesitated, unsure if he should take it. He eventually did, but it caught him so off guard that we couldn’t help but laugh. It made me realize how rare these little moments of kindness have become. People are so used to guarding themselves, expecting the worst. And honestly, I don’t blame them—the world can be harsh. But isn’t that all the more reason to offer kindness, even in the smallest ways?

I often sit on city buses, surrounded by people, yet it feels like we’re miles apart. No one talks. If someone does, they’re labeled “weird” or assumed to “want something.” And even if you do strike up a conversation, chances are you’ll never see that person again. That’s one of the hardest parts of living in a big city—so many people, yet such little connection.

But it’s not all bad. Big cities offer a strange kind of freedom. You can be yourself, let down your guard, and no one will judge you—or at least, not openly. In a way, that anonymity can be liberating. But it’s a freedom that can feel hollow when it’s not shared with others.

Recently, I’ve felt the weight of loneliness myself. My friends have moved away, and working from home has its isolating moments. I’m lucky to share my life with my partner, but even so, there are days when that ache creeps in. When it does, I remind myself to take action. I join a course, go to yoga, or try to learn something new. Because even though loneliness feels deeply personal, it’s also universal.

The truth is, loneliness isn’t just your burden or mine—it’s something we all face at some point. Beneath it all, I think what we really want is to be seen. Not just noticed, but truly seen.

So, how do you navigate it? How do you find connection in a world that feels so disconnected?

Let’s start that conversation.

• V