Feeling very isolated

[Ada1]

Hi,

I am new to this forum but I thought it can help to talk to people who might understand.

I am struggling to fit in this world where technology and social media are replacing real relationships. Slowly over the time, I became disconnected from people and completely isolated.

During last 10 years, I lived and worked in different countries: UK, US, Germany and now Australia. When I arrived in a new country, I always tried to join social groups, local sport clubs or volunteered in order to meet people and make friends. I ended with transient, short lived relationships. Since I moved abroad alone, I needed support, help and a company of few friends who cared. Every year I got more and more disappointed and depressed. I feel like I can not understand people and make meaningful connections. It looks to me that people around are not interested in meeting, talking or sharing feelings. I dont know how to function normalny. I lost interest in every day life.

Since I could not keep my job I had to move to live with my parents. I am now in a small town in the north of Australia. My situation became even worse. There are no job opportunities for me here. I have even less chance to meet people. I struggle every day with loleness and feeling of emptiness. I don't know what to do.

Ada1

[uncut_gems]

Hi Ada1,

Welcome to the forums and thank you for sharing a little bit about what you're dealing with. I'm a foreign national recently moved here alone to Australia, so I know a bit about what you mean– it can be really hard to start all over again.

Your frustration with technology is totally understandable– I think a lot of people feel that distance as opposed to face-to-face interaction. In the coming weeks and months all of us will have a changing relationship to social media and other forms of remote communication as they become our lifeline to our friends and loved ones. I truly think that we will find new ways to "be with" others, even if there are growing pains at first.

I think the forums here are a great place to start. I've found that even though it's only text on a screen, people really put their hearts and minds into their responses and make every interaction a meaningful one.

I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your job and your new living situation. Combined with everything else that's going on I can't imagine how hard that must be. I hope you'll continue to stop by the forums for some company, and maybe even to talk to someone in a similar situation.

Warmly,

Gems

[Ada1]

Hi Gems,

Thanks for your support. How do you cope with moving to Australia? Does using this forum help you?

Ada1

[Emmen]

Hello Ada1 and Gems,

I'm in the same situation as you! I moved here recently but haven't even gotten a chance to meet anyone or explore much of Australia yet because of COVID. It's one thing to feel isolated in a place you know well, but another thing entirely to be stuck at home in a new country when you haven't even gotten the chance to be a part of the community yet. I'm lucky because I have my partner to guide me in Australia, but it doesn't change the fact that I feel quite disconnected from the wider society. I made a lot of plans with regards to getting to know people/getting a job etc. but now it seems like I'll be stuck at home for the foreseeable future. But that is the situation and like it or not, we'll have to weather this storm with as much positivity as we can manage. After all, as disheartening as this situation may be, it is temporary.

Ada1, having moved around so much, you must be a very adaptable person. I can also see that you take the initiative to fit in with your chosen country by joining social groups and such, which says a lot about you. I'm sorry you lost your job and moved to a place where you feel more isolated. But having adjusted for the past 10 years, I'm sure you will get through this as well.

In the meantime, I'd encourage you to be on this forum as well. It's given me some purpose in life, knowing that I can help people in some way.

- Emmen