In Spite Of Social Media Why Do So Many Of Us Feel Disconnected?

How many of us can boast of having real friends - friends with whom we can share our innermost thoughts, feelings and fears; confidantes with whom we can be honest and unreserved on everyday matters,through good times and bad? Unfortunately very few can.

In order to bond genuinely with people we must have the courage to speak our minds and admit our vulnerability uninhibited. Else, relationships remain hollow.

According to a sociological study, dwindling networks and relationships among Americans lead to loneliness and isolation. This is perhaps a major reason why many people today seek counsellors for support.

Robert Putnam has highlighted this epidemic of loneliness in his book, ‘Bowling Alone’, and created awareness among the public.

Loneliness – a curse

It is not uncommon for people to be assailed by loneliness while still in a marriage. In fact, even people working or living in a bustling environment are greatly affected by loneliness. They may be achievers and materially successful but true happiness evades them.

Judy Garland, Marilyn Monroe and Princess Diana are classic instances of famously lonely people.

No wonder that the ultimate punishment for a crime is solitary confinement!

Why do so many of us today feel disconnected from the world around us?

The answer lies in our quest for individuality, our need to discover our self-worth. We are so preoccupied with the pursuit of independence that we gradually isolate ourselves from others without realising it, and loneliness engulfs us almost imperceptibly.

Most certainly, all of us know that apart from the basic necessities of life, we also need to feel we belong to society.

Yet we allow our individualistic ideology to destroy our social connections. Our aspiration to establish our individuality leads to competitiveness and workaholism, paving the way for loneliness and misery.