Let’s talk about loneliness.
We all know how important it is to have a strong support system in our lives.
Whether it’s family, friends, or even coworkers, having someone to lean on can make all the difference.
We recently asked our Peanut Community to share their experiences of loneliness and found that an astonishing 82% of women feel lonely often or sometimes.
Loneliness is an uncomfortable feeling that can leave us empty, sad, and even afraid.
It’s a feeling that can be hard to shake and can even affect our mental and physical well-being.
But the good news is that there are ways to combat loneliness and build meaningful connections with others.
So let’s hear from the Peanut Community about how feeling isolated affects their lives, and how to deal with loneliness.
In this article: 📝
- How to combat loneliness
- What does loneliness feel like to you?
- Why do so many women feel lonely?
How to combat loneliness
If you’re one of the 87% of women who would like more close friends, you’re (weirdly) in good company!
But 88% find it hard to make new friends, and 66% say fear of rejection makes it hard to find them.
So what can you do to find new friends?
First things first, when it comes to how to deal with loneliness, put yourself out there.
It’s tough, especially when vulnerability and fear of rejection kick in, but getting out there really is the first step.
Now, since 73% of women surveyed want more access to information on how to find and sustain friendships, we thought we’d share our top tips on making and maintaining connections on Peanut.
Let’s go!
1. Send the first message
Now, we know that sending that first message can be intimidating.
The fear of rejection is real, but here’s the thing: most women on Peanut are just as eager to make new friends as you are.
So, take the plunge and reach out.
2. Stop the passive scrolling
Passive scrolling ‒ or doom-scrolling ‒ is something we’ve all done (sometimes more regularly than we’d like to admit).
But passive scrolling doesn’t really do much to alleviate loneliness ‒ ironically, it can make us feel even more isolated.
But actively engaging with others on Peanut can make a huge difference.
So if you’re scrolling through your Peanut feed and you see a post you’re interested in, leave a comment!
You never know what connections you might make from it.
3. Join related Groups
There are thousands of Groups on Peanut ‒ for hobbies, life stages, birth months, local cities… whatever you want!
So whether it’s a virtual book club, fitness group, or just mum chat, finding people who share your passions is a great way to start building connections.
And if you’re feeling bold, why not start your own Group?
4. Speak up in a Pod
Pods are audio-only live chats on Peanut, where groups of women can get together and talk about all sorts of topics, in real-time.
Or you can join in to get advice from one of our Peanut Pros ‒ from doulas and baby sleep experts to mental health professionals, join other women looking for the same advice as you.
Hey, we’re all in this together!
5. Ask the Community
Got a question to ask the Peanut Community?
Or even just a cute pic of your babe ‒ or bump!
Posting in a Group on Peanut is a great way of putting yourself out there.
Even if you’re not sure what to post, how about sharing some fun facts about yourself?
You’d be surprised how many women are just like you!
6. Brave the wave
‘Waving’ on Peanut is how you show someone else you’re interested in striking up a conversation.
Scroll through potential connections ‒ don’t forget to check out their profile ‒ and see what you have in common.
Then, if you think you could be besties, swipe right to wave ‒ simple as that!
If they scroll through your profile and like what they see, they’ll wave back, and boom! ‒ connection made.
If you want to fast-track your friendship, you can also unlock your waves via PeanutPlus (you also get read receipts, wave-undoing, and a profile boost, too).
7. Update your profile
Most of our Peanut Community say they check potential connections’ bios, so make sure yours is filled out with your hobbies, interests, location, and life stage.
After all, you don’t know how perfect your next connection could be unless you see a sneak peek of their personality!
8. Keep it up
Many women on Peanut find new connections within days of signing up, but for some, it can take a bit longer, depending on what you’re looking for.
Consistency is key here.
Showing up, waving at potential connections, posting regularly, taking part in Pods, and joining relevant Groups are pretty much guaranteed ways you can beat loneliness and make new friends.
The best part? Everyone on Peanut is there for the same reason ‒ to make new friends ‒ so you’re never alone.
Find new friends nearby
A connection is made every 3 seconds on Peanut.
What does loneliness feel like to you?
Loneliness is a tricky beast ‒ it can look different for different people.
For some, it “feels like you’re falling with no support”, for others, it’s “boring, like a heavy weight that makes your mind feel foggy with no motivation to do anything”.
And for 94% of women surveyed, loneliness makes them feel uncomfortable.
“I feel empty and less human because I lack connections.”
Why do so many women feel lonely?
According to our Peanut Community, 70% of women feel more lonely after the Covid pandemic.
And it’s no surprise ‒ with many of us feeling isolated from our usual social circles, for at least a year, it’s hard to get back to ‘normal’.
In fact, 76% of women in our survey said their number of close friends has declined in the past year.
But, looking at how many people search for “how to deal with loneliness”, it’s been pretty steady since before the pandemic, so loneliness has long been a problem.
So what can we do to stop feeling so lonely?
“Loneliness is when you have everything and everyone around, yet there’s something that’s still missing.”
Is feeling lonely during pregnancy normal?
Pregnancy is a beautiful journey, but it can also be a challenging one.
It’s common for women to experience a range of emotions during pregnancy, including happiness, excitement, anxiety, and even loneliness.
Feeling lonely during pregnancy is completely normal, and you’re not alone if you’re experiencing it.
Pregnancy can be a time of significant physical, emotional, and lifestyle changes, which can be overwhelming, and it’s natural to feel lonely or isolated at times.
It’s essential to remember that feeling lonely during pregnancy doesn’t mean that you’re not excited or grateful for the babe growing inside you.
It’s just a part of the process.
Practice self-care, engage in activities that bring you joy, and reach out for support when you need it.
You’re doing an incredible job growing a tiny human, and you deserve all the love and support you can get.
“It feels like I’m missing out.”
Is it normal to feel lonely as a new mum?
It’s completely normal to feel lonely as a new mum, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
You’ve just gone through an incredible life-changing experience, and your whole world has been turned upside down.
It’s only natural to feel a bit overwhelmed and isolated.
But don’t worry, you’re not alone in feeling this way.
There are so many other new mums out there going through the same thing.
(Hint: they’re hanging out on Peanut!)
So don’t be afraid to make the first move.
You got this, mama!
“Everyone is struggling so much in this day and age that either you don’t want to put your worries on them or they just have too many of their own.”
Is it normal to feel lonely in motherhood?
Feeling lonely in motherhood is totally normal, and you’re definitely not alone in feeling this way.
Motherhood can be a wild and wonderful ride, but it can also be overwhelming and exhausting.
It’s okay to feel like you need a little break, a little time to yourself, or just someone to talk to who understands what you’re going through.
There are so many other mums out there who feel the same way, and there are plenty of ways to connect with them, whether it’s through mum groups, Peanut, or even just striking up a conversation at the playground.
Remember, you’re doing an amazing job, and it’s okay to ask for help or support when you need it.
“It’s like guilt, as you shouldn’t feel lonely with a baby.”
Can menopause make you feel lonely?
Menopause can bring all sorts of physical and emotional changes, even loneliness, and it can be tough to deal with them all on your own.
And there are so many women out there going through the same thing.
Whether it’s through a support group, a yoga class, or even just a night out with the girls, finding connections with other women can help combat those feelings of loneliness.
And don’t forget to take care of yourself, too!
Getting regular exercise, treating yourself to a massage, or even just taking some time to relax and recharge ‒ self-care can do wonders for your mental health.
“It feels like no one is there for you during this life stage.”
Find new friends nearby
A connection is made every 3 seconds on Peanut.
Loneliness can be tough, but we’re stronger together.
And it’s normal to feel lonely sometimes, for whatever reason (or even no reason at all).
But if you want to combat that loneliness, we’re here to help ‒ it’s our mission.
So, let’s make some new connections, have some fun, and kick loneliness to the curb where it belongs.
We’ve got this.