How do you cope with loneliness?

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I live with a cat. She's good company. And she loves and accepts me just the way I am.

When I am lonely specifically for the understanding or company of other humans, I read books and watch TV and movies and listen to music, and that helps because I find human social connection in them. And I talk to people on here.

^^^ that's the spirit, bro

I live alone, I have no social life whatsoever but I'm perfectly content. Being alone obviously doesn't have to equate with being lonely. To be honest I'm not even sure that I really understand what loneliness is.

at least for me, loneliness is wanting to share with somebody of like mind, but having nobody of like mind around. it is a big "happy birthday to me" cake with no cheering section. it is an "all dressed up but nowhere to go." it is talking to oneself and oneself talking back to oneself, and nobody around to look askance. it is needing assistance with some physical task but having to make do without or just skipping the task.

I'm exceedingly prone to loneliness and am very needy of people. I'm not quite sure how to do things without other people around. I'm the opposite of many of you on here who prefer 'doing their own thing'... THATS a concept I dont understand, doing your own thing.

I dont have many interests, and the ones I do are typically better shared. I lose interest in things if I dont have anyone to share or discuss it with. Which I dont. I mean for example, typically the NFL has always been an intense interest of mine from age 8 or so. My #1 interest for much of my teen years and up towards the top throughout my adulthood. However, since me and my wife split up and we watched together, and I have no one to watch with I sort of barely care. That goes for any kind of watching for me. I just get bored alone and I hate it but am in a life situation where I will need to develop this skill quickly or I will run into bad relationships in an effort to avoid loneliness.

I move furniture by myself, if it was too heavy or awkward to shift alone I'd disassemble it, but to be honest that's not something that I've ever had to deal with. In the UK if a doctor or hospital consultant decided that I needed a massage or some other form of physical therapy they'd refer me to a physiotherapist. I don't think they can hold you in a hospital over here, or send you elsewhere for treatment, without your consent.

when I get older and more infirm, this enforced solitude is really gonna start biting me in the @$$, this I know. that is the reason why you see on tv programs like "hoarders" that a lot of 'em are older and single.

For what it's worth, I find that having a spirituality helps cope with loneliness.

In my case it was Catholocism. I just sort of prayed to God daily and idk, it sort of took the edge off it.

Alcohol. Helps me fall asleep too. But don't take that advice.

The way I deal with it is working 60-90+ hour weeks, work more when I get home, spend more money than I should on my hobby ( I have no wife, girlfriend, friends or kids to save for), dream way to much about the past, try to convince myself that love is not meant for me, help others, and then when I am so tired of all that, I sleep. I used to throw in more weed than most can ever imagine doing and drinking a good amount, but my body won't let me do anything anymore so havent touched anything in 6 years and never will.

The way I deal with it is working 60-90+ hour weeks, work more when I get home, spend more money than I should on my hobby ( I have no wife, girlfriend, friends or kids to save for), dream way to much about the past, try to convince myself that love is not meant for me, help others, and then when I am so tired of all that, I sleep. I used to throw in more weed than most can ever imagine doing and drinking a good amount, but my body won't let me do anything anymore so havent touched anything in 6 years and never will.

I don't generally cope well. I use vodka sometimes, nothing to excessive. I exercise a lot. Video games are a big part of my life. Nature hikes help. Seeing animals in the woods just hanging out is pretty close to the same satisfaction I get from regular conversations anyway. I go to the movies to see people talk on screen, and pretend I'm in the room or something, like I'm a passive part of the conversation.

My dog is a big help. She needs me, and wants to see me. She gives me a reason to leave the house when I'm very f****d up. My husband helps tons in a similar way, but I am aware that is not an option for a lot of people.

Not a damn thing. I've been hurt and burned so many times that I no longer care. Just leave me alone to wallow in my pain and despair, since no one ever cared then, now and in the future.