How to not feel lonely living alone and make it fun

Living alone and feeling lonely often go hand in hand – especially if you’ve spent most of your life living with family. Whether you move to a new city or an entirely different country, the feeling of loneliness is universal.

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I moved abroad almost two years ago, and it was my first time living by myself. I had my own room and shared a kitchen.

As an introvert who loves alone time, I initially thought it would be hard for me to feel lonely because I was so good at being by myself. Even when I lived with my parents, I spent most of my time in my room and was completely fine.

Then I was hit with the exact wave of loneliness that people always talk about when moving away – especially to a whole new country.

While moments of loneliness still come in waves, I’ve managed to build a fulfilling life living on my own. Through a lot of trial and error, I created a routine where I can truly enjoy my own company without feeling lonely most of the time.

Here are 9 things you can do to avoid feeling lonely when living alone!

Table of Contents

How to not feel lonely living alone

1. Get comfortable doing things alone

When I first moved, I was still adjusting and trying to figure out how to make friends, which meant spending a lot of time by myself. Although I was already comfortable going out alone, doing it in a brand-new environment took some effort.

Before moving abroad, I had already started practicing doing little things independently – like going to the mall, buying clothes, running errands for groceries, or just stepping out for a walk.

If you are someone who always depends on friends or family to accompany you everywhere, this might feel challenging at first. But trust me, it’s a skill worth developing.

You just have to push yourself and do it. You’ll quickly realize it isn’t as intimidating as you thought. Sure, running errands alone might not be as fun as joking around with a friend, but it offers a unique sense of peace.

2. Go on solo dates (and no, it’s not cringe)

Living alone, especially abroad, naturally means there will be moments when your friends aren’t available to hang out. As adults, everyone has different schedules.

Most of the time, my friends had classes or work at different hours, meaning I wouldn’t see them for a week or more. Not having family nearby made those gaps feel even harder.

During my initial days in a new country, I spent a lot of time exploring the city all by myself.

Even now, I regularly take myself on solo dates to my favorite coffee shop or to new spots I want to try. I bring a book, a laptop, or a journal with me.

I know it can be hard to push yourself to go out alone, but nobody is judging you. When I went on my first solo date, I felt self-conscious and worried people would think I had no friends. But honestly, no one is paying attention!

Once I started going out more, I noticed how common it is for people to hang out in cafes and parks by themselves. It’s actually really fun to explore at your own pace.

[100 Solo Date Ideas to Help You Enjoy Your Own Company]

3. Put yourself out there and make new friends

While there is a huge emphasis on self-sufficiency, humans are inherently social beings. We thrive on connection. When you live alone and far from family, making new friends becomes even more crucial.

You don’t need to approach making friends from a place of desperation. Instead, focus on putting yourself in environments where you can naturally bump into like-minded people.

Before you find the one or two close friends you truly click with, you’ll have to be open to meeting people with whom you might only share a surface-level connection.

I used to go to local meetups and activity groups. The first few times, I felt like I couldn’t deeply connect with anyone, and it felt exhausting.

But eventually, I met my best friend through one of those groups! Step out of your comfort zone, be bold, and start conversations.

4. Stay in touch with long-distance friends throughout the week

If you move away from your hometown, you leave behind the family and friends who know you best. It can feel like a deep loss because you worry the bond won’t stay the same.

While you won’t be able to spend time together physically, you can 100% maintain those relationships. A huge part of loneliness comes from missing your people.

You can have a hundred small interactions with strangers throughout the day, but nothing replaces a quick chat with someone who truly knows you.

I make it a point to talk to my family and close friends throughout the week, especially on days when I’m staying in. It makes being at home feel much cozier and far less isolating.

5. Spend more time in social spaces

Loneliness often stems from isolation. When you spend an entire day inside without any human presence, it’s easy to spiral into a negative mindset.

On days when I had no plans, my friends were busy, and I had already spent all day at home, I would start feeling down. In those moments, all I needed was to be in a social space – even if I wasn’t interacting with anyone.

Going to a local cafe and simply sitting among other people made me feel infinitely better than staring at the four walls of my room.

6. Build a routine that keeps you engaged

Without a structure, it’s easy to get stuck inside your own head. When you’re idle, overthinking takes over.

I started adding simple activities to my weekly routine to stay engaged – like deep cleaning my room, reorganizing my closet, or doing yoga. Having an everyday routine outside of work or classes gives you something to look forward to.

Whether it’s enjoying a cup of green tea in the evening, reading a chapter of a book, or going to a Pilates class, keeping your mind active prevents you from sitting idle and getting lost in negative thoughts.

7. Accept that some days will be low

It’s important to acknowledge your feelings because loneliness never completely vanishes. Some days, instead of constantly fighting the feeling, you just have to sit with it.

Suppressing what you feel isn’t effective. The goal is to feel stable most of the time, but when heavy moments arrive, it’s okay to slow down and process them. Don’t run away from how you feel.

8. Get ready and step outside – even for just a minute

While writing my dissertation, I spent days cooped up at home. I felt unproductive and lonely because I wasn’t attending classes or seeing friends.

On one particularly intense day, I decided to change out of my pajamas, get ready, and go for a quick walk. The difference in my mood was instant.

Staying in loungewear all day when you’re already feeling isolated only amplifies the loneliness. Even spending an afternoon writing at a neighborhood cafe can completely shift your energy.

9. Give yourself time

Lastly, be kind to yourself and allow space to figure things out. My timeline and what worked for me might look completely different for you. Give yourself grace as you gradually implement these changes into your life.

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How to not feel lonely living alone and make it fun