The phrase “Crowded Loneliness,” chosen as the word of the year for 2024 by the Turkish Language Association, perfectly sums up how many people feel in today’s world. It’s about feeling lonely even when you’re surrounded by others. This strange feeling is happening more and more because of many reasons.
One big reason for crowded loneliness is how we use technology. Social media was made to bring people closer, but sometimes it does the opposite. People spend hours scrolling, liking posts, and commenting, but these online interactions often feel fake. You might have hundreds or thousands of “friends” online, but it’s not the same as having someone to really talk to in person.
Another reason is how life in cities works. Cities are full of people, but everyone seems so busy and focused on their own lives. Neighbors barely talk to each other, and even when you’re in a crowded place like a subway or park, it’s easy to feel invisible. Urban life can make people feel disconnected even when they are surrounded by a lot of others.
This feeling of loneliness can have a big impact on our lives. It can make people feel sad, anxious, or even depressed. It is hard to be happy when you feel like you don’t have anyone to truly connect with. Plus, it can affect how people see themselves. If you feel lonely, you might start to believe you’re not good enough or that nobody cares about you, even if that’s not true.
To fight crowded loneliness, we need to focus on real connections. For example, spending time with family and friends in person or having deep conversations with them can help. Also, putting our phones down more often and really being present in the moment can make a big difference.
In the end, crowded loneliness shows how strange modern life has become. Even though we have so many ways to connect with people, we still feel alone. To change this, we need to value real relationships and make time for each other. That way, we can feel less lonely, even in a crowd.