It’s been another full day of school, errands, ballet, dinner, and baths. With younger kids in bed and older kids studying in their rooms, the house is finally quiet. As a single mom, I appreciate the quiet evenings when I can think my own thoughts and work uninterrupted. But the quiet is also a stark reminder of how alone I am.
For single moms, loneliness is a painful reality, even in a house full of kids, and even when dating has begun again. Are you a lonely single mom? Today, I’m sharing 6 ways to battle loneliness as a single mom.
1. Cultivate deep friendships.
Loneliness happens when there’s no one to share life with – to talk through the questions or the ups and downs of our days. Nourishing deep friendships can curb loneliness as we have people in our life who know us, who get us, and who love us. Where do you start? Find a FaceTime friend you can call after the kids go to bed. Join a book club or bible study with an online group. Be intentional about building community.
Nourishing deep friendships can curb loneliness as we have people in our life who know us, who get us, and who love us. Click To Tweet2. Temper time on social media.
Spending too much time on social media might distract us momentarily from loneliness, but it won’t eliminate it and could actually worsen it. The constant barrage of others’ vacation pictures and life celebrations can leave us feeling left out and even more alone. Better to tame the time we spend on social media.
3. Pursue your Passions.
Admittedly, it’s tough to find time as a single mom, but carving out time for hobbies and interests can bring deep satisfaction with an added bonus of connection to new groups and people who share our interests. Try something new and see if you discover a new passion.
4. Don’t believe the lies at night.
This one is huge because loneliness is often hardest at night and can quickly escalate to despair. If nighttime is a particular struggle, go to bed early and get up with the sun. Mornings usually bring clarity and hope.
5. Feed your soul.
Bible study and prayer remind us of God’s deep love and promises for us. You can find Bible studies through a church or community Bible study group and warm fellowship through moms groups like MOPS or Mom to Mom.
6. Use it for good.
No matter how busy we get or how many friends we have, it’s unlikely we’ll be able to fully eliminate loneliness as long as we’re single. But even that can be used for good. Understanding what loneliness feels like can help us become more compassionate and reach out to others who are hurting.
How do you battle loneliness in your life?
