On Loneliness: How to Understand and Journal Through It
Feeling lonely doesn’t always mean you’re alone. Discover therapist-written insights and prompts to build connection with yourself and others.
Updated on
June 24, 2025
This post is part of our series on emotional reflection, written by Jon — a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. These same reflections appear in the Stoic app’s Emotion Check-In.
Understanding and Managing Loneliness: A Stoic Reflection
Feeling lonely doesn’t always mean you’re physically isolated. Even the most social people can feel unseen, unheard, or misunderstood.
Sometimes loneliness stems from anxiety, fear of judgment, or difficulty trusting others. Often, it’s the sense that no one really understands you — which can lead to sadness, anger, or emotional shutdown.
But loneliness also gives you a chance to reflect on the most important relationship in your life: the one you have with yourself.
From a Stoic perspective, solitude isn’t a punishment — it’s a moment of clarity. Journaling in moments of loneliness helps you identify what you’re truly longing for: connection, understanding, or self-acceptance.
Stoic Quotes on Loneliness
“You don’t love yourself enough. Or you’d love your nature too, and what it demands of you.”
— Marcus Aurelius
“Nothing, to my way of thinking, is a better proof of a well-ordered mind than a man’s ability to stop just where he is and pass some time in his own company.”
— Seneca
More quotes? Read: Stoic Quotes About Loneliness
Journaling Prompts to Reflect on Loneliness
- What situation is making you feel this way?
- Why do you think it triggered that feeling?
- If you had to be alone today, how could you connect more deeply with yourself?
More prompts available here: Loneliness Journaling Prompts
Frequently Asked Questions
Is loneliness a sign that something is wrong with me?
Not at all. It’s a signal — not a flaw. Everyone feels it sometimes, even people with rich relationships.
How can journaling help me feel less lonely?
It lets you untangle emotional patterns and either accept your solitude or identify a next step toward connection.
Can I do this in the Stoic app?
Yes. These reflections appear inside the Emotion Check-In under Loneliness.
Licensed Mental Health Counselor in private practice in Dubuque, Iowa. He has been providing mental health counseling to individuals and families in the Dubuque area since 1999 and earned his Mental Health Counselor license in 2005. Jon offers outpatient counseling in a private practice setting, primarily working with individuals aged 17 through adulthood.
Ready to Reflect?
Start your emotion check-in in the Stoic app and journal with therapist-written guidance.
