Sometimes it is the inner state, not the objective surroundings, that makes us feel lonely—even when we are among people.

Inner Isolation Amidst the Crowd

Sometimes it is the inner state, not the objective surroundings, that makes us feel lonely—even when we are among people. This feeling takes root in the soul when each of us perceives ourselves as a unique being—irreplaceable and perhaps misunderstood by others. In such moments, even a noisy company cannot fill the void of an inner world that craves a special response and understanding.

Our loneliness often stems from the fact that the world cannot penetrate the deepest layers of our experiences. We may find ourselves amid a flurry of events, surrounded by many people, yet still feel isolated, as if no one is capable of sharing our emotions and thoughts. A person who feels alien in their own body and different from others faces a genuine internal crisis—the sense that even the closest people remain unfathomable. This is not so much a matter of an objective lack of company as it is an inner struggle for recognition and understanding, a desire for someone to glimpse into the very essence and feel the pain that we ourselves can’t always express.

Nevertheless, recognizing this inner divide can be the first step on the path to harmony. Accepting one’s uniqueness and seeking out those who are truly willing to understand you helps to establish a connection with the world. After all, each of us deserves a little light capable of dispelling the darkness of loneliness. It is important to remember: true closeness begins with understanding oneself, and then with finding those who are ready to share this profound truth.

Why might a person feel lonely despite being surrounded by others?

A person can feel lonely even in the company of others because loneliness is not only about external isolation, but primarily about an inner state associated with feelings of misunderstanding, alienation, and the separation of one’s own essence from society. This feeling arises when a person sees themselves as a unique, unrepeatable being whose experiences do not resonate with those around them, regardless of how many people are present.

For example, one of the authors states:

"That feeling of alienation, which sometimes caused me real suffering, would arise in every gathering of people, every event in life. There was so much within me that was foreign... I most acutely felt loneliness precisely in company, in interactions with people." (source: link txt)

This quote emphasizes that even during interactions with others, the internal sense of separation and inaccessibility remains strong, as no one can fully share another person’s inner world.

Moreover, the perception of loneliness may be connected with the feeling that one is misunderstood or even avoided. As noted:

"He feels that people avoid him, that everyone treats him with disdain, pretending that he does not exist... a person believes that people avoid him; he feels complete loneliness." (source: link txt)

This view illustrates that perceiving others as alien or rejecting can lead to feelings of isolation even in a context where, objectively, one is not alone.

Thus, loneliness amid company arises not so much from the absence of people, but from an inner perception—when a person’s individuality, experiences, and emotional state go unrecognized or are ignored by those around them. This underscores the deep-rooted difference between objective social reality and the subjective experiences of each individual.

Supporting citation(s):

"That feeling of alienation, which sometimes caused me real suffering, would arise in every gathering of people, every event in life. There was so much within me that was foreign... I most acutely felt loneliness precisely in company, in interactions with people." (source: link txt)

"He feels that people avoid him, that everyone treats him with disdain, pretending that he does not exist... a person believes that people avoid him; he feels complete loneliness." (source: link txt)