I now that many people have felt loneliness. Can someone explain just what loneliness is? What is the difference between lonely and being alone?
This is a serious question. I would like to be able to really understand and be empathetic when a friend says they are feeling lonely. I have a hard time responding to that and know what the right thing to say is.

Not to be rude, but there are many differences in my oppinion! You can be alone and not be lonely... alone is by yourself. Lonely for me, is needing some company, conversation, a HUG! It is a yearning in your heart and soul for... someone to share life with.

I saw no rudeness in your response. In fact, thank you for taking the time to reply and helping me to understand.

I am alone and have been for many, many years. I have sons, they are grown up now...some don't think one can be lonely with children. I will say that yes..you can have children and still experience loneliness. Over the years of being alone I have felt lonely...less than more though.

Awww... that was very kind. I just think for me that it is more of a frame of mind because I do enjoy being alone where as being lonely is... painful.

Have a nice night...

You can be with someone and still feel lonely. That means that there is a part inside you that isn't being touched or satisfied even if you are in a roomful of friends. Sometimes when I am around people is when I feel the lonliest.(is that a word?) When you have a relationship with the right person then that part inside of you blossoms and you feel special and complete. To me, this is a bond that grows as your awareness of who the other person is grows.

Sadly alot of people blame the other person for the lack of that happening, or blame them that it went away. If that happened I feel (my opinion only)that you were not with the correct person in the first place, and even if the person is a wonderful soul, he/she was just not the wonderful one for you.

I've been alone many a times

But very very rarely felt lonlieness

My life is way to full

With family
Freinds
My work
My activities
My man

Alone I have been
Lonely no

Even when by myself. I'm pretty cool to be with!

Think this pretty well fills the bill.
I can experience both of these & do at various times.
I have felt alone, in the middle of a crowded room.
It just happens.

well there are people who cannot be alone because that makes them feel lonely.

Being comfortable in your own company is a step towards not feeling lonely, is it not? I've never felt lonely as it's been described in the previous posts, that's why I'm asking for clarification. Maybe it's just different for everybody.

To me this says you have a full life and a full heart... Consider yourself extremely luck to not have to face the feelngs of being lonely for to me... lonely, is sad, empty...

Well, I've felt sad many times, no emptiness though. I guess I am pretty lucky and I count my blessings all the time.

I've gone through mourning, grieving, sadness, boredom, scariness but the worst is loneliness. For me, it's a feeling that if I don't feel someone's touch I will go mad. Nothing to do with sex really.

I am sorry for your loss. I didn't realize you were a widow.

You're right, there are some things that you just can't give to yourself. Touching, hugs, human contact are things I miss greatly when they're not there.

I am too busy right now to experience lonliness. In my job, a hug has replaced a handshake so maybe that physical contact keeps me from feeling lonely. I appreciate my alone time because it gives me time to concentrate on me.

lonliness got me here...then I got busy...I'm still alone but I appreciate it more now....the lonliness just disappeared

For me, when things are well or not, it comes from no where. A deep ache-yearning? wanting the above from someone whom I know and really knows me that isn't there. And then not anyone I know.. Does that make sense? A touching of the souls perhaps, just anyone will not do-
a friend will call and it eases up but at times it can be felt under all the activity. I think we all experience it at times. I can be listening to Opera and the sadness and loniless aloness touches deeply with it's etheral notes. I enjoy tremendously being alone, my life and it's work- and doing something chases it away altho sometimes just have to 'feel' it through and quit running away from my feelings.

As for me, I am alone and loving it - most of the time....But, when I am alone when I know others are enjoying the company of others - like on the weekends - then I feel so lonely. Weekends are the worst for me. In my marriage - we never went out... I was married but was very lonely also. Now I am only accountable to myself and still do not "go out" on the weekends. Where do I go? To the bars? In my small town, that is about it.. I do go to church but it is the church that my ex goes to and noone there (if there was someone) would ever date me.. But it is my church... So - what is the cure for "lonliness"?

Thank you, Biglife and Shasta & Linny you really hit the nail on the head with what you said.

I almost always feel alone in a crowded room..