Hello 2026: Am I Lonely?
Many of us just spent the last six weeks navigating a busy season: holiday parties and gatherings, hazardous weather, and disruptions to family and work routines. So when I heard Michigan Public Radio's 1A rebroadcast conversations about loneliness, it made me wonder how loneliness can quietly coexist with full calendars and constant connection in our day-to-day lives.
We've been socialized to stay busy, to over-schedule, to say yes. We show up for friends, family, colleagues, and our communities. In the process, we may lose touch with our own mental health and well-being, subtly disconnecting us from what matters most and leaving us feeling empty, moving through life on autopilot.
Now January has arrived, and with it a flood of messages about fresh starts and new beginnings. Before rushing toward what's next, what might happen if we paused to consider what meaningful social and emotional connection actually looks like in our daily lives.
From a coaching perspective, this isn't about fixing loneliness or forcing connection. Coaching invites curiosity about patterns, needs, and values. I hear clients say "I have a good friend network, but I leave gatherings feeling empty" or "I like my marriage, but I'm lonely". Follow up questions to these statements might be "What kind of connection do you want?" or "When do you feel a sense of belonging, even in small ways?"
There's no quick fix for complex experiences like loneliness, but small, intentional practices can strengthen our sense of connection to people, places, and moments. One such practice is cultivating gratitude.
A Practice to Try: Three Good Things
This simple exercise, developed by Martin Seligman, takes just a few minutes a day:
- Write down three good things that happened.
- They can be small (a smile at the grocery store, a warm drink, a sunrise).
- For each one, note why it mattered to you.
There's no wrong way to do this. The goal is simply noticing. Over time, this kind of awareness can build resilience and hope, while also highlighting what helps you feel connected. That awareness can support more intentional choices that strengthen belonging and reduce feelings of loneliness.
As a Co-Active certified coach, I support people in reflecting and intentionally choosing how they want to engage with their lives. If you'd like space to explore what loneliness, belonging, or connection mean for you, I offer a complimentary 30-minute coaching call. It's a low-stakes way to experience coaching firsthand. Let's connect at janet@vire-coaching.com.