Valentine’s Day has come and gone - thankfully, for many. Whether it’s due to the Hallmark holiday or the general winter blahs, it’s around this time of year that I hear more of my clients discussing the feeling of loneliness. It isn’t something that most people want to admit to, much less talk about. But, particularly for solo renters, loneliness is something most people deal with from time to time.

To combat that feeling of loneliness, you might consider the following.

Distinguish between being alone and being lonely. Of course you know the difference. But, just because you are alone doesn’t mean that you are - or have to be - lonely. Loneliness is experiencing a strong sense of emptiness or longing. Solitude, on the other hand, can be a source of self-examination and even a creative period for many. In fact, I often recommend a period of solitude for my clients.

Find Solo Activities to Enjoy. Sometimes, all you need to not feel lonely is to be busy - and that doesn’t have to mean being busy with other people. I know a woman who was always very busy with her job - traveling and working seven days a week - and generally was not home much. After years of this lifestyle, she quit her job to take a year off. At the beginning of that period, she told me that she’d wander around her apartment, not sure what to do with herself because her friends still worked. Then, she found various activities both in and outside of her apartment - yoga, biking, reading The New York Times - that began consuming her time. She no longer felt alone or lonely.

Consider activities like exercise, reading, crossword puzzles/Sudoko, music, learning a new language or skill or scrap-booking. By filing your time, you’ll be less likely to feel lonely.

Evaluate Your Social Circle. Do you feel lonely but have friends to do things with, or do you feel that you are lacking both friends and acquaintances? This can be an important factor in evaluating feelings of loneliness.

If you have a solid group of friends, but still feel lonely, you might want to consider why you aren’t getting the companionship from these people that would prevent you from feeling lonely. It might be that you do not spend enough time together. If that’s the case, maybe you need to be more flexible in scheduling. You might also initiate more get-togethers.

Even with a great group of friends, there could be a larger issue at play. Depression often exhibits itself with a feeling of loneliness. In this case, you might consider seeking professional help in order to be evaluated.

If, on the other hand, you find that your social circle is very limited and you really are alone, you might assess why that is. Is it because you don’t make friends easily or maybe don’t find yourself in situations to meet people? If it is the former, you might consider seeking professional help in order to determine why this is in order to make improvements in your social world.

If you just don’t find yourself in situations where you are able to meet people - maybe you work from home, you may need to go in search of friends. Join a place of worship, health club, eat out, see a band. At first, it might be uncomfortable, but chances are if you participate in an activity you enjoy, you will be able to find other like-minded people.