[throway20211207]

Severe chronic pain is how I'd describe the loneliness I've experienced during the pandemic. Im alone 80-90% of any given day and it's by far the most painful experience I've ever had, even with strategies to actively manage it (I work at coffee shops, attend church, and am very active in a sporting community)

The social backdrop of life is family and community, that's what you come home too. I divorced just before the lockdowns started and have no family in my city. I don't believe in extrovert/introverts and spent several years developing my social skills so I do meet people quite easily and have a good group of friends. But even the best friend groups as a working adult can't replace community band family life.

I have two points of reflection:

1. Every decision we make corporately as a society seems to weaken or impede family and community life. From how we build our cities to how we respond to pandemics. I have no solution other than try and buck the trend.

2. I offer my sympathies to anyone else feeling lonely. I hope we can persevere and eventually find meaningful social lives filled with loved ones.

[penjelly]

> 1. Every decision we make corporately as a society seems to weaken or impede family and community life. From how we build our cities to how we respond to pandemics. I have no solution other than try and buck the trend.

agreed. it seems community & family life has been trending downwards for a long time and lately its in a steep dive.

You could try VR chatting (seems like you covered the normal bases already), i dont think its dystopian if used sparingly. I know there are tons of lonely souls who use that as an outlet for expressing themselves & ideas, or feeling closer to others while watching movies/gaming.