"I'd spent most of my twenties using busyness as a shield against vulnerability. The more packed my schedule, the less time I had to confront the emptiness I felt. And here's the thing: nobody knew. Not my friends, not my family, not even the people I worked with every day."
"Lonely people often develop this incredible ability to keep conversations light and breezy. They'll ask you questions about your life, remember details about your kids or your job, and seem genuinely engaged. But try to dig deeper into their world, and you'll hit a wall. They've perfected the art of deflection."
"It's not that they don't want to connect. They're just terrified of what might happen if they let someone see the real mess underneath."
Loneliness frequently disguises itself among people who appear most successful and socially engaged. Those battling profound isolation often use busyness as a shield against vulnerability, maintaining packed schedules to avoid confronting emptiness. Lonely individuals become skilled at surface-level conversations, asking engaging questions while deflecting personal inquiries and avoiding genuine vulnerability. They master the art of appearing fine through carefully curated social media, organized social events, and maintained professional facades. This disconnect between external appearance and internal struggle means friends, family, and colleagues remain unaware of their suffering. The paradox reveals that social confidence and constant activity can coexist with deep loneliness.
Read at Silicon Canals
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