Lonely

For example, you can feel lonely if you do not experience a bond with the people around you. It is also possible that you feel lonely because you have less contact with others than you would like. Loneliness can also arise if you are not happy with yourself. Loneliness can cause feelings of emptiness, sadness, jealousy and insecurity.

No, that is not correct. Research from 2023 showed that almost half of the Dutch population feels lonely. Almost 15% feel very lonely. That is one in six people. Also check out www.utrechtomarmt.nl . So you are really not alone!

No, that is not strange at all, and you certainly don't need to be ashamed of it. In the Netherlands, more than 330.000 (!) young people feel lonely. Join Us Utrecht was launched specifically for young people aged 16-30. Would you like to meet peers and do fun things together? Check out the Join Us website and join in!

• Missing someone with whom you can share everything.
• Missing friendship in your life.
• Not being happy with yourself.
• Feeling locked up in your own home, for example due to poverty, unemployment or illness.
• Feeling like your life has no meaning.

• Discover what you like to do and join an (online) group that likes it as much as you do. 
• Create a regular rhythm in your day. 
• Get outside every day. Walk to a park, store, cafe or community center.
• Who did you have fun contact with when you were younger? Meet up again. If that nice click is still there, you can probably meet up more often. 
• Take a course or volunteer. Meet other people and experience more meaning in your life.
• Come by one of the community centres or look at SportsUtrecht.

Seek help from the neighborhood team in your area if you continue to struggle with feelings of loneliness. We are here for you!

Also look at:

• • Psychological complaints
  • Coping with illness
  • Work and participate