Alone =/= Lonely

Hey guys.

The fear of being lonely is something the world is afraid of, and because of that people start to stereotype people who are alone by themselves as so called “lonely people” .

I want all of you to get this drilled into your head, every single reader out there.

Being alone, does not equal to lonely. NO. It doesn’t work that way.
In fact, Oxford can explain that pretty well.

Alone:
If you are alone in a place, there is no one with you.
Without any friends or people you know.
Without any help from other people.
Without including anything else.
Used to emphasize that there is only one person who knows, can do something etc..

Lonely:
Unhappy because you are alone or do not have anyone to talk to.

Chinese translation:
Alone=单独
Lonely=寂寞

From the dictionary definitions above ( yes I really did went to dig my Oxford dictionary out and check the meanings ), all we can say is loneliness is from being alone, but being alone doesn’t necessarily make you lonely. There is a big difference, but most people are blind to see it. So here I am, pointing out a hard, cold truth.

Also, stop stereotyping people who are alone. They may just like to be alone, it’s their choice. Crowds and groups of friends may stress them, they may not like it. Some just want to be accompanied by their earphones and they don’t like their friends to keep on interrupting their music. Being alone does not mean that they have no friends. Get that right please.

But it is kind of sad to see old people alone, maybe their partner died, maybe their kids ditched them ( worst case scenario ) .

It’s been bothering me a lot, that every time when I choose to be alone, people come up to me and say that I’m lonely and asks me if I have friends. I have. But I like being alone when it’s after school hours. Thank you very much.