E17: Alone: Not lonely

Intro:

Hi, and welcome back. I’m Alvat Garewal.
 Today, I want to talk about something that many people experience, but few speak about openly—loneliness.
Now, being alone and feeling lonely aren’t always the same thing. You can be in a crowd and still feel completely alone. Or you can be by yourself and feel totally at peace.
Loneliness isn’t just about physical isolation—it’s about emotional connection. It’s about feeling unseen, unheard, or disconnected from those around you.
So in this episode, I want to explore what loneliness really means, why it creeps in even when we’re surrounded by people, and more importantly, what we can do about it.

Let’s dive in.

Transcript

Podcast Title: Alone, Not Lonely

Hi, I’m Alvat Garewal.
Today I want to talk about something many people feel, but few openly admit — loneliness.

It can creep in when you're surrounded by people or hit you hardest when you're completely alone. But what does it really mean to feel lonely? Is it just about being physically alone — or is it something deeper?

A few days ago, I was at a busy café. Dozens of people around me, conversations everywhere — but I saw a man sitting at the corner table, alone. No phone, no book, just a coffee. And I wondered: was he enjoying a moment of solitude, or was he feeling completely alone in a crowd?

It reminded me that loneliness isn’t always about presence or absence — it’s about connection. You can be surrounded by people and still feel like you’re drifting.

We often confuse being alone with being lonely. But there is a big difference. Being alone can be powerful. It can give us time to reflect, recharge, and reconnect with ourselves. Some of the best ideas and clearest thoughts come from moments of solitude.

But loneliness? That’s the absence of meaningful connection. It’s the feeling that no one truly sees you, hears you, or understands what you're going through.

And what’s interesting is that in our hyper-connected world — phones, apps, constant updates — we’ve never been more digitally linked, but many people feel more emotionally distant than ever before.

A message notification isn’t the same as someone asking, “How are you really doing?”

I want to ask you something: who are you connecting with? I mean really connecting with?

Think about your circle. Are they people who energize you or drain you? Are they present with you, or always somewhere else even when they’re sitting next to you?

Sometimes, loneliness hides behind the loudest laughs and the busiest lives.

You might see someone surrounded by friends, active on social media, appearing perfectly fine — and yet they feel completely alone.

This is where we need to be more aware. More sensitive. More intentional with how we show up for others.

So what can we do about loneliness?

Reach Out. If you're feeling lonely, don't wait for others to notice. Reach out. Call someone. Message them. Let them know you’re thinking of them.

Be Present. When you're with someone, be with them. Really listen. Engage. Let them feel seen.

Create Space. Whether it's a small gathering, a walk with a friend, or a weekly catch-up, create intentional spaces to connect.

Accept Solitude. Learn to be okay with your own company. Solitude can be a gift when you learn how to use it wisely.

There’s a quote I love: “Loneliness is not the absence of people, it’s the absence of connection.”

So maybe loneliness is life’s quiet nudge, reminding us that connection matters. It reminds us that we’re human — and being human means we need love, support, and to feel understood.

If you’re feeling lonely today, know this: you are not broken. You are not invisible. And you are not alone.

Reach out. Connect. And remember, sometimes helping someone else feel less alone is the quickest way to soothe your own loneliness.

You are in my thoughts.