Photo by Zoha Gohar on Unsplash
I’m writing this post on Saturday, the 7th February 2026, and I’ve just got back from going to Mass at my local church.
Over the past several months, I’ve been going through a process to become Catholic.
And praying every day and going to mass on the weekend have made me feel better spiritually.
I’m joining an institution that has been going for 2000 years.
Not only that, but the social aspect of going to church has helped a lot.
I just got talking to an older man named Joe and had a good conversation with him at church.
I’ve also got to know the priests and deacons, and I’m learning a lot about theology and philosophy.
Religion is growing in South America but declining in the West
I think this is a shame.
Because religion helps bind people together through shared values.
Around one in two adults in the US struggles with chronic loneliness.
And in 2025, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared loneliness a pressing global health threat.
I think those stats prove we’re in a loneliness epidemic.
I have 2 close friends, but I don’t often see them
For the past several years, I’ve had two main friends, but I’m lucky if I see them once a month.
I don’t expect people to be there for me at the drop of a hat, because it’s difficult for me to do that for others, bearing in mind my obligations.
It’s just made me think I need to make new friends.
And since regularly going to church, I’m starting to meet new people.
Luckily, I have my parents
I see my parents several times per week, and I know they’re always there for me, which is nice.
But if I didn’t have them, I’d spend more of my time alone or maybe force myself even more to meet new people.
I’ve definitely been lonely
I experience loneliness as a feeling of melancholy, and I start overthinking and get into a self-loathing frame of mind.
When I socialise with people, it brings me out of myself and stops that harmful habit of focusing exclusively on myself and self-loathing.
We’re more connected than ever
Even though we have social media and can talk to anyone anytime, fewer people are socialising in person.
And even though we can contact anyone anytime, via call or text, they’re nothing like in-person interactions.
Essentially, because we have social media, we know we can contact people whenever we want, so we don’t.
How I’m going to try to meet more new people
I’m going to start attending more church-related events.
Also, if there are some groups related to a hobby that interests me, I may join them.
Groups such as writing or running groups.
I’m naturally introverted
Meeting new people doesn’t come easily to me.
It’s something I’m going to have to work at.
Because, naturally, I can spend most of my time on my own without feeling down.
My tolerance for loneliness is relatively high.
This got me in trouble in my last romantic relationship.
I wanted more “Me time”, and my ex took that badly and assumed I didn’t want to spend time with her.
Even though loneliness is a modern disease, don’t associate with just anyone
Some people we meet are wonderful, and some people are degenerates.
You mustn’t make anyone your friend.
Assess their character first, and then make them your friend if you’re confident they’re good people.
Most people make the mistake of befriending someone and assessing their character later.
Better to never become friends with someone than have to break up the friendship.
It’s better to be alone than be with the wrong spouse or befriend the wrong person
I’m fully aware that being alone all the time is bad for you. But don’t assume I’m telling you to be friends with anyone or get into a romantic relationship with anyone.
The key is to befriend people / have a spouse who enhances your life and vice versa.
There’s no point in befriending a degenerate who brings you down to their level.
Protect yourself.
You are responsible for who you choose as your friends or spouse.
Above all, as a former colleague once said:
Protect your heart.
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