Seriously though, anyone else out there feeling like loneliness is actually tougher now that we’re so “connected”? I mean, social media, right? We’re all supposed to be part of a big global community, connected every second of every day. But is it just me, or does it feel we’re all just sitting alone behind screens, scrolling through highlight reels of each other’s lives?

I see pictures of my friends, or even people I barely know, having fun, travelling, living their lives and…Well, I’m just here. It’s late at night and I really needed to put this out there. I can’t talk about this on my own page, surely that’ll just be like fishing for sympathy or attention, right?

Okay, so maybe it’s a bit of FOMO, but it goes deeper than that. It’s like we’re all leading separate lives, just showcasing the pretty parts and keeping the messy bits to ourselves. Is everyone really as happy as they portray on Instagram and Facebook? Or are they too struggling with the same loneliness… just not showing it?

It hurts, you know. Even when you know, intellectually, that everyone else may be putting a filter on their lives, there still seems to be this inescapable void. But sharing that on social media, voicing out the feeling of emptiness… it feels daunting. It’s like you’re throwing your vulnerabilities out there for everyone 🤔

You’re totally hitting the nail on the head here, mate. Like, my own news feed can sometimes make me feel like I’ve been left behind on the friendship space shuttle or something, you know? I reckon it’s important to remember those fun and fancy photos people are all too eager to show off are just a snapshot. Everyone’s got their own battles lurking beneath the surface of those sun-kissed holiday pics or perfectly staged food shots. It’s just no one feels like sharing the crappy bits - like when a perfect sunny day has you stuck in feeling glum. Trust me, you ain’t alone in this. Maybe next time, instead of scrolling through, let’s turn off the screen and do somethin’ that we love? Or even better, ring up a mate for an old-fashioned chinwag. Guaranteed to make you feel a whole lot less lonely.

Couldn’t agree more, mate. You’ve really cracked open a massive truth about this digital age, ain’t ya? We’ve all got those moments, stuck at home, scrolling through everyone’s ‘perfect’ life - can be a real downer. But you hit the nail on the head there, everyone’s fighting their own demons, the net just ain’t the place they show ’em. I reckon shutting off from the virtual world every now and again is a good idea. Reminds you of the real people around you, the ones you can actually have a good laugh with over a pint. Or I know it sounds crazy, but maybe pick up a book? There’s a lot of life outside the screen, we just kinda forget it sometimes. Don’t worry, mate - we’re all on this crazy space shuttle together.

Absolutely spot on, pal. It’s easy to feel isolated when you’re just watching everybody else’s highlight reels online. But you’re right, everyone’s got their own things going on that you don’t see. I try to do like a digital detox once in a while, à la turning off all my gadgets and just catching up with the folks around me or getting stuck into a good old book. Yeah, going back to basics seems to work for me. Anyway, keep your chin up, we’re all in this together, space shuttle or not. Cheers!