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Marwa Rida

Loneliness and Depression in The 21st Century

I share and continue to share a lot about the feeling of being lonely especially during my early years in Australia and down the track as I continued to face many challenges in my personal and professional career.


Loneliness is one of the reasons I started my first business, my event business in Canberra End2End Events to connect with others in the community and feel less lonely. I chose to work and be part of an industry that’s all about people, creating magical experiences and making people feel happy and connected through delivering various special events. I also chose to work in the area of events relating to special milestone celebrations, community events, business milestones and many other special occasions to bring joy to my life, to other people’s lives and to help many businesses, communities and organisations celebrate.


There are so many people on the planet today that feel lonelier than ever, despite being super connected with All the technology we have available at the touch of our fingertips!

Loneliness is the new age disease. The mental health issues associated with the feeling of loneliness are huge. They disrupt our everyday lives making us feel disconnected and worthless.


Prolonged feelings of loneliness can lead to depression which if left untreated can lead to severe depression and isolation, which can in turn lead to feeling that you are not worthy or needed which can lead to a downward spiral in your mental health, leading to suicidal thoughts for some people and anxiety and stress disorder for others.


You are Not Alone!



It is so important to reach out and talk to others at the first sign of feeling lonely. Pick up the phone and speak to a family member, a friend, a work colleague or other. Share how you feel. Go out for a coffee or a walk, express yourself. Let people into your world and do not face the feeling of loneliness alone.


I you feel low on energy or lacking the will to perform simple everyday tasks, or if you are finding it hard to get out of bed every morning then it’s time to book in an appointment with your GP and get a Mental Health Plan sorted so you can get more in-depth help into why you are feeling the way you are.


There may be a bigger underlying issue to your lack of energy. It could be traced back to your health, you may need to get some blood tests done to ensure everything is in check. Or it may be related to your childhood or something else you are holding on to that is Not serving you, that you need to let go of. In personal development and coaching terms this is known as a ‘ limiting belief’


Some of the events that can trigger a spike in Mental Health issues are:


  • Loss of a Job

  • Loss of a Business

  • Loss of a Partner or close family member

  • Relationship Break-ups and Life Changing Decisions

  • Facing Health issues and Terminal Disease

  • Financial Debt and Feeling you can’t keep up

  • Feeling that you do Not belong in your family or community

  • Feeling that you are facing big life issues alone

  • The effects of a global pandemic like COVID-19


There are many groups of people that encounter feelings of loneliness and lack of belonging at various stages in their lives


Some of the people that I have helped and continue to help are;


~ New Australian Migrants and Expats


It is natural for new migrants and expats to feel homesick as well lonely at times as they continue to find ways to integrate within their new community and continue to create a new life for themselves and their families. The best thing to do if you are a New Australian Migrant or Expat in Australia is open up yourself to meeting new people whether online or in person. You can checkout Australian Migrant Stories Blog for many stories from diverse Australian Migrants who have managed to make Australia home


~ Women of diverse backgrounds & social status


Many women stay in marriages and relationships that are not serving them because they fear being alone.


With an average woman going through various life cycles in her personal and professional life. There are times in a woman’s life when emotions take over. This comes back to the nature of a woman’s body and the different life stages she has gone through from a girl to a teen, to a young woman, to child-bearing woman, to caring for a family, navigating pre-menopause and menopause, then becoming a Grandmother and the list goes on!


Understanding the stage you are in as a woman and listening to your body and its way of reacting to that stage you are in, is key to helping your remove any feelings of sadness, loneliness, depression or mood swings


~ Men of diverse backgrounds and Social Status


We all know women and men speak completely different languages. The book ‘Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus’ taps into the various differing communication methods both men and women have


Men especially tend to suffer from loneliness and depression in a very different manner to women. To many men, Not achieving goals and Not feeling they can provide for their family or feeling they cannot look after their family due to lack of any sort, is one of the biggest triggers to depression. Sometimes the feeling of being trapped in a marriage or in an unhappy or unhealthy relationship, and not feeling free to roam or hunt can also trigger depression in many men. Because men are born to be hunters and some men don’t settle or want to settle with just one woman!


Terminal Health issues like cancer and other health issues, relating to men's performance in their intimate relationships or other are among the many reasons that can make a man feel inefficient and can lead to loneliness, depression and trigger many mental health issues.


Some men resort to smoking, drinking, drugs or other to cover up the pain of feeling lonely or inefficient.


~ The LGBTIQ Community


Society and many Religions have made people with varying sexual preferences feel like they are outsiders for a very long time. They have made them feel different and that they don’t belong. The LGBTIQ community has had to fight for their rights to be free to act and free to be for many decades. It is only now in the 21st century that LGBTIQ rights are being fulfilled slowly but surely. Many people who identify as LGBTIQ have suffered tremendous mental health issues, feelings of loneliness and depression as a result of societal, religious and parental and communal pressures.


I have many close friends who identify as LGBTIQ and they are some of the best humans I have met. Sexual orientation should Not be a reason someone is excluded or made to feel alone or they don’t belong!


So whatever your situation is and whichever part of your life you are navigating. I share this post to let you know 'You are Not Alone'. There is a reason you are here on this earth. Don’t waste the precious time you have here by letting your mental health get in the way of what you are meant to be doing


Get Up, Get Help, Get Healed and Live a Life of Purpose Everyday!

Love Life. Live Live

حب الحياه. عيش الحياه


❤️ Marwa

LifeStyle Design Consultant™️



Disclaimer: All ideas in this post are authors own. Based on years of research, personal development, and personal experience. Ideas are aimed to educate and help readers identify if they need help. Please seek Medical assistance if you or someone you know are having prolonged feelings of loneliness, suicidal thoughts or you or someone you know needs to speak to someone about any of your mental health concerns

Here a few Healthline options we recommend:



And if you need to speak to Marwa directly or book a session to discuss your personal or professional lifestyle issues. Leave a message below.

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