Let's try to figure it out together:

You are amazing as you are. Telling you in case you don't hear it often. The past few years have been challenging for everyone and it probably changed the way we interact with people and the way we react to circumstances. One possible factor is our social media consumption. People share the highlights in their lives, but despite us being genuinely happy for them over their big and small wins, we'd sometimes feel that we're the only one left behind. According to one study, positive impacts of social media include enhanced social  support, community building, and access to mental health resources. However, the paper also underscores the negative implications, such as cyberbullying, social comparison,  and  the  potential for addiction.

Being able to access people's lives through social media can be overwhelming. We sometimes unconsciously compare ourselves to the ideal or sana all lifestyles and achievements that the society portray. As a result, we'd think that we aren't enough and we'll never be as good as the people around us. The key is to try to look at ourselves as unique and capable. We are more than what we give ourselves credit and we are free to take things at our own pace.

Having someone to run to when life gets a little rough is therapeutic in itself, but having go-to people doesn't make you immune from feeling lonely at some point. This feeling may be linked to low self-esteem or self-confidence, according to an article, and improving our relationship with ourselves can help us feel less lonely. Start by defining what self-care is for you. How do you recharge your energy? What do you enjoy doing? Where do you get your strength from? It doesn't matter if it's dyeing your hair screaming red, trying extreme sports, or healing your inner child, as long as it makes you happy, it doesn't need to make sense to other people. You do you. It's great to explore different things that makes you feel good. It's never too late to learn being comfortable in your own company. Embrace your me time.

Just a bad day, not a bad life. If you're uncomfortable sitting in silence with yourself, try tapping a friend or two to catch up with. There are days that all we need is a company; and in case you're worried about burdening them, remember that you are never too much for the right people. An article accurately expresses that interacting with people with whom you share a common interest makes for a better chance at forming meaningful connections, which is usually what lonely people are missing from life. In fact, research shows that social connectedness can lead to longer life, better health, and improved well-being. The next time you feel that no one else really gets you, remember that you are not alone! Feeling lonely is, perhaps ironically, universal, and somewhere out there surely look forward to reaching out to you or being reached out to.

It's indeed challenging to be on your own, especially when you're feeling a little too lonely or upset, but have you tried embracing that moment to discover a new version of yourself? Making small changes in your day-to-day life may help you feel more connected with yourself and other people. Consider trying the following when you're curious of seeing a new you: 

• Physical activity: Engaging in physical activities can be tiring and time-consuming, but the significant effects, as revealed in a study, makes everything worthwhile – positive association with self-concept and body image, better mood, sleep, and quality of life. In this case, it targets the holistic wellbeing of the an individual. As a bonus, be it in a normal jogging day, exercise class, or a fun run, you might also meet new people in the process! 

• Nature appreciation: Maybe you need some fresh air, like literally? A study on nature and mental health shared that contact with nature is associated with increases in happiness, subjective well-being, positive affect, positive social interactions and a sense of meaning and purpose in life, as well as decreases in mental distress. More than just the refreshing or feel good feeling that these greeneries may give us, study revealed that exposure to natural environments has been shown to improve performance on working memory, cognitive-flexibility, and attentional-control tasks. In fact, as evidenced in an Environment and Behavior study, exposure to nature—in person or via video—led to improvements in attention, positive emotions and the ability to reflect on a life problem. But the effects were stronger among those who actually spent time outside. Any bonus? Well, the journey is always instagrammable! 

• Plantito/plantita era: If going out isn't really your thing, maybe it's time to reveal if you were born with a green thumb (or maybe not😬 but that's okay too). A research categorized the benefits of plants and gardening activities in a variety of categories — anxiety and stress reduction, attention deficit recovery, enhanced memory retention, improved happiness and life satisfaction, increased creativity and productivity, enhanced self-esteem, and reduced effects of dementia. Perhaps, being in naturalized settings and engaging in activities such as gardening have a positive impact on people’s feelings of vitality and energy.

• Pet society: How about welcoming new members in the family? According to the Mental Health Foundation, as cited in one study, the companionship that a pet offers is a great way to reduce anxiety and stress. A pet can be a great source of comfort, companionship and motivation for their owners. In many ways, pets can help us to live mentally healthier lives. Just by stroking, sitting next to or playing with a pet can gives owning a chance to relax and calm their minds. Caring for a pet also gives your day purpose and reward, and a sense of achievement. It also helps you feel valuable and needed. Just how beautiful is it to love and care for someone and receive it back, too.🥹

It's okay to be not okay. It's a normal human emotion and a normal human reaction. You are not too much and you are not a burden. Though there has been a growing stigma in mental health, the important idea remains the same — you don't need a "big reason" to seek professional help. If you just need the perspectives of someone outside your peers, want to organize your thoughts objectively, or simply wish to talk about how good or bad your day went, try talking to a therapist. They can help you explore what you're feeling by unpacking the parts of you that you might have missed. These professionals can also help you develop different ways of managing your emotions when it gets a little out of hand.