The Five-Dimensions (5 D's) of Loneliness:
Often we think of loneliness in a singular way. She is lonely or she is not lonely. I am lonely, or I am not lonely. However, a more comprehensive view of loneliness includes five-dimensions.
Loneliness in relation to:
1. Family/relative ties
2. Friendships
3. Romantic relationships
4. Self
5. Spiritual connection
So, one could be lonely in a specific dimension but not the others. For example, one may be experiencing loneliness in relationship to friendships in her life, and feel fulfilled in the other four dimensions. This helps us to identify more specifically where our loneliness is being experienced in our lives.
The 5-Dimensions of Loneliness also help us to see that while three of the dimensions involve other people - friends, romantic partners, family/relatives - the other two; spiritual connection & self, don't necessarily involve a direct relationship to another person. Since relationships with others are two way (i.e. it takes two to tango) we don't have control of them. However, our relationship to connection of a spiritual nature and to ourselves can be developed without dependency on another person. This may bring hope to someone who is feeling stuck in loneliness. Perhaps, it can be a place for someone feeling lonely to begin developing a greater feeling of connection in their life.
Often we think of loneliness in a singular way. She is lonely or she is not lonely. I am lonely, or I am not lonely. However, a more comprehensive view of loneliness includes five-dimensions.
Loneliness in relation to:
1. Family/relative ties
2. Friendships
3. Romantic relationships
4. Self
5. Spiritual connection
So, one could be lonely in a specific dimension but not the others. For example, one may be experiencing loneliness in relationship to friendships in her life, and feel fulfilled in the other four dimensions. This helps us to identify more specifically where our loneliness is being experienced in our lives.
The 5-Dimensions of Loneliness also help us to see that while three of the dimensions involve other people - friends, romantic partners, family/relatives - the other two; spiritual connection & self, don't necessarily involve a direct relationship to another person. Since relationships with others are two way (i.e. it takes two to tango) we don't have control of them. However, our relationship to connection of a spiritual nature and to ourselves can be developed without dependency on another person. This may bring hope to someone who is feeling stuck in loneliness. Perhaps, it can be a place for someone feeling lonely to begin developing a greater feeling of connection in their life.