GuestFellow
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^ No seriously, I think I was about to vomit. I felt disgusted looking at that. +o(
People of working age who live alone increase their risk of depression by up to 80% compared with people living in families, says a Finnish study.
I'm not sure how I found this thread, but I think I was meant to.....
Ive been living alone for the past 6 months.
Initially, it seemed like the best thing ever - I enjoyed furnishing the place and creating the type of environment that I thought would give me peace and a chance to spend more time in ibaadat and other beneficial activities.
Now, that 'novelty' has worn away.....and I am left with a feeling of isolation and loneliness
I now understand why this can often result in depression, as mentioned in the OP.
I think the way of life of a disbeliever, that permits one to socialize, go out and have aimless 'fun' at clubs/ parties/ movies/ theatres, etc - possibly wards this off (at least for a while).
For the believer, who has removed himself from much of society's 'normal' way of life (as much as possible) - and lives alone - it can become incredibly challenging to keep motivated.
The isolation, both in real terms and in terms of being a 'stranger' to the ways of the world is something that I honestly did not foresee imsad
To be honest, Im not really sure how to get myself out of this....
Ive really been considering emigrating (in shaa Allah, to KSA) (if my family would allow this, in shaa Allah).
But now, Im wondering if Im possibly trying to find an escape.....
Is it possible that the initial 'high' of living close to/ in the holy cities will also eventually wear away?......to result in me feeling even more isolated, living on my own, in a foreign land.
Or.... is this the change I actually need? : (
For those who live alone:
How do you ward off these feelings of loneliness and isolation?
For those who have moved (alone) to KSA:
What has it been like for you?
Will really appreciate any responses imsad
JazakAllahu khair
^ Sorry for what you are going through sister. I have some advice:
1. Get to know some good muslim/s sister/s that you can befriend. You can do that by attending classes or any local muslims events.
2. Keep yourself busy with goals that are important to you. As muslims our purpose is to worship our creator so he can forgive us, set goals that makes you a better muslim. And set worldly goals as well, but dont forget the ultimate focus(akhira). This will keep you very happy and satisfied. To work towards something meaningful.
3. Excercise, eat well, sleep well and wake up early.
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2. Keep yourself busy with goals that are important to you. As muslims our purpose is to worship our creator so he can forgive us, set goals that makes you a better muslim. And set worldly goals as well, but dont forget the ultimate focus(akhira). This will keep you very happy and satisfied. To work towards something meaningful.
3. Excercise, eat well, sleep well and wake up early.
For someone who is forced to live in such a system, it's best to maintain contact with family and friends, find good friends close to where they live and meet-up regularly. If you can find an Islamic center, go their and see if you can meet with other sisters and make friends, go to get-togethers, visit each other's homes, etc. If you have any Muslim neighbors try to befriend them and get-together often. If there are possibilities of doing social work or volunteering at an Islamic school, Islamic Center, Mosque, etc then do that. If your Islamic Center provides courses, then consider taking them. You can meet with other Muslims there and that should make you feel better somewhat. But nothing can replace family contact, so do speak to them and meet them as much as you can.
:jz: for the response akhi,
I do have such friends, some who are closer than others. Those who are married/ with kids generally have many other family commitments as well.
^ I started out with this mind-set initially.
I think Ive burnt out.....lost drive and motivation.
When you are on your own, its not as easy to keep this pace going indefinitely.
I think at some point, the isolation gets the upper hand and weakens the spirit : (
At present I may be sleeping too much : (
When you are on your own, and esp in cold weather (we are now entering winter), one tends to head to bed earlier.
And this is also said to 'harden' ones heart : (
I think this is definitely something I need to cut back on....
JazakAllahu khair
Going to sleep early hardens the heart? Interesting, never heard of it.
"Another cause of weak faith and hard-heartedness is eating too much, sleeping too much, staying up too late, talking too much and mixing with people too much. Eating too much makes the brain slow and the body heavy, which prevents a person from worshipping Allaah and makes it easy for Shaytaan to tempt him, as it was said: “Whoever eats too much, drinks too much and sleeps too much, loses a great reward.”
From: Weakness of Faith by Sheikh Muhammed al Munajid
Al-Fudhail ibn Iyaadh said: “There are two qualities that harden the heart: sleeping too much and eating too much.”
Living alone is not healthy for us human beings.
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