Working and living in the city offers so many career opportunities and so many cultural experiences. Unfortunately, there are also some downsides to city life. One of the downsides can be feeling lonely.
While it would seem that living in the most vibrant metropolis would be the best place to avoid loneliness, the reality may be very different. Surrounded by strangers, all of whom are focused on their own accomplishments, can be debilitating. All too often, life in the city can leave us feeling tiny.
In the beginning of the 20th century Georg Simmel observed that “one nowhere feels as lonely and lost as in the metropolitan crowd”. If you are struggling with your emotions and feeling lonely, you have plenty of company.
“You can be lonely anywhere, but there is a particular flavor to the loneliness that comes from living in a city, surrounded by millions of people.”
– Olivia Laing, The Lonely City (based on the author’s own experiences in New York)
Stop feeling lonely
If you are just getting established in New York City, it is possible to be surrounded by people, yet feel completely alone. In therapy, you can get the support that you need to create meaningful friendships and relationships.
In the city, we can slip into a pattern of constantly benchmarking ourselves against coworkers and neighbors. Doing so, we can lose sight of our own value and self-worth. As we become more self-conscious or struggle with low self-esteem, we create barriers to meaningful connections. We become more lonely, withdraw and stop truly expressing who we are. We spend too much time worrying about what others are thinking.
Does this sound familiar to you?
Start feeling good about yourself
If you want to change the way you view yourself and connect with others, I am here to help. In therapy, I will help you understand the feelings that cause you to feel isolated. You can learn how to create opportunities for closer relationships and connections. You will get help recognizing and appreciating yourself. Once you appreciate who you are, your unique personality and talents, you are on the road to stop feeling lonely.
Get started now
I am here to help you learn how to build meaningful and lastingvrelationships.
Get in Touch
Click here to make an appointment with Dr. Shira Kaufman Danzig, Licensed Clinical Psychologist