How do you all deal with loneliness/emptiness?

I’ve been there. It seems impossible to change anything in your life or it will screw up what works. But you have to change something or nothing will change. So you take baby steps.
the easiest start is to volunteer at a race. I guarantee that if you get in contact with race organizers you will be needed. Yes it screws up you training that morning so you build in a rest day or an afternoon run. At worst you mix up your routine. At best you connect with other runners.

Another option is to find organizations that you think are doing good things and see what they might need.

Just some ideas. The key is you have to get out of your own bubble.

I understand I’m extremely fortunate but that doesn’t invalidate my feelings. Similarly many millionaires and famous people are also in the same boat. I’m sure other letsrunners especially those with sub14 5k, hot wife, and 200k salary felt this way also at on point. Looking to hear how others overcame this

I overcame it by doing what I suggested. i had been running with a club for a few years but only for the workouts. I was working my way through college and my life was work, school, and running. It was when I got guilted into volunteering at some races that I actually met people. I then started going to dinner with groups after workouts since that didn’t interfere with school and work. I started making friends that I still have many years later.

There is no better point ever concieved why Universal Income is bad for society.

Didn’t read all the posts, so I’m sorry if this has been said, but I would suggest:

1. Try mindfulness meditation or another form of meditation, ideally in a group setting. Try at least 3 sessions before deciding whether you find it helpful. I’ve found meditation practice has greatly improved my ability to manage my thoughts, feelings, and attention, and repeatedly helps me deal with periods of depression, stress/anxiety, or apathy.

2. Service: I know this has been mentioned but must emphasize it. Transcending yourself and giving to a greater cause is probably one of the most powerful sources of meaning and fulfillment. Volunteer for any cause that you might be interested in: helping organize local races, coaching kids, restoring the environment, help at a hospital or charity,…

In both of the above, a byproduct of the activity is the opportunity to connect with people searching for deeper meaning/purpose. You will meet people from various backgrounds, which might bring you a new perspective on your own life, while also finding commonalities with them, at the very least in your spiritual or humanitarian pursuit.

3. Reflect on purpose/values: Actually take time to stop and sit and think about what you want to achieve in this life, how you want to help better this world, and what is important to you. And use this to decide what activities contribute to building your purpose or honouring your values. Repeat this reflection periodically and update accordingly. You need an overarching framework to guide you, otherwise you will indeed feel like you’re going through the motions without any sense of fulfillment.

4. Talk to people closest to you about how you’re feeling and consult a professional if needed (psychologist or psychiatrist).

5. If the opportunity arises to do so in a safe and controlled manner with trusted company, try an appropriate dose of psychedelic (e.g., psilocybin, LSD). Growing research supports their therapeutic efficacy for treatment or management of depression, often from a single session. Many who take them even for just a single session describe the experience as among the most powerful of their lives.

"I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst."

Every man has a God-shaped hole in his heart.

Only Jesus Christ can fill it.

He, and he only, is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

rhythmofthesword.blogspot.com

The Ending of the Year

Last-minute Christmas gifts are bought and wrapped. Family travels to its traditional destination, or else waits for relatives to arrive. ...

Link:rhythmofthesword.blogspot.com/2022/12/...

I have

No career

No friends

No girlfriend

Also currently injured

All I have is my health and my parents and some degree certificates

We have a generation of young men of Travis Bickle's.

two solutions here:

Obviously marriage and kids. Marriage + kids is not bliss and it's not perfect but I believe it is the best way to go through life, to avoid loneliness and love and be loved. Best of a bunch of imperfect solutions.

be needed in an organization. For exampe, running clubs are often led by people who feed off the camaraderie of a running club. And they are usually open to someone who wants to take on tasks and organize things. Being needed and having a bunch of people depend onyou and respect you is what you need.

With our crass popular culture, craven social media and extreme political divisiveness in the U.S., I don't see how anyone could feel fulfilled today. I don't see a lot of hope for our culture.

COVID blew everything up, so we started looking for meaning in what we do as a society and we came up extremely empty.

I have kids in college so I am still fulfilled by helping them shape their lives, but my work and social life no longer have the same vitality. The only hope I see is to do something counter-cultural or try to push the culture in better directions. That is one reason I am so adamant about track and cross country being major sports, because our commercial culture promotes team sports way too much and running way too little.

Your first paragraph is some of the worst advice I have ever heard. Never, never, never get into a relationship, especially marriage, when you are messed up. Get yourself squared away first.

ok, fine, I'm writing generically not specifically to the OP. The OP is only one of many people reading this thread after all.

To avoid loneliness and purposelessness, marriage + kids is probably the most effective way. I won't stand down from that.

Volunteer at a local animal shelter.

Even if you do nothing but clean the cages, you will be doing more by making the animals comfortable and happy than nearly all the politicians, influencers, sports "heroes", and talking media heads in the world have ever, or will ever, do.

And, unlike helping some people, you won't be taken advantage of: Give money to a "homeless person" who uses it to buy drugs...give money to a "underprivileged youth" who uses it to buy $300 sneakers...give money to a "social improvement organization" who uses it to buy houses...give money to a " caring politician" who uses it for personal gain.

Go do something for someone else. It will make you feel better and take you out of yourself. You should also seek medical help if you have chemical imbalance issues. Seek more help. It might take more than one thing for what you need.

This is very well put. I've often been told that I should work at an animal shelter, but I think you've made the case better than I've ever heard it made before. I think I've been too concerned about experiencing the heartbreak that can come with this kind of work, and perhaps too jealous of my time. I've already arranged to donate my entire estate to organizations that fight for the well-being of nonhuman animals, and I expect to be working with less experienced lawyers and law students on cases supporting legal protections (or "rights") for animals, but none of that can bring me the joy, satisfaction, and sense of purpose that comes from actually caring for animals every day.

As for the specific case of the original poster, it hits very close to home, and I probably have too much I want to say about it. I hope that I'll be able to add to the discussion later.

sounds like there is a God-sized hole in your life that nothing else can fill. we were designed to live for Him, not ourselves. I pray that you find God and He will give you a sense of purpose, comfort, and joy. I still feel lonely occasionally, but not nearly as often as I did before I gave my life to Christ. It has completely changed my life for the better!

All of the things that provided happiness and fulfillment in my life have been systematically stripped away. My wife died of leukemia, my running dwindled away through age and injuries, my two kids moved far away, and I retired from my job. I have to watch out for feeling sorry for myself -- the world is full of sorrow -- but the pain and emptiness linger.

Run less (it's ultimately just a hobby unless you're truly ELITE in which case you should really look within the community for someone).
Stop drinking

Join a spiritual group or church group to socialize

Pickup basketball

Gym or spin classes

Professional networking groups

Online dating bars clubs etc only has to work once if you're looking for a serious relationship.

Would you run well in s race if you did a couple of runs and just waited for a good result.

Somehow dating does not require hard work. Waiting for fait. Garbage. Get out there and out in the effort. Do some interesting stuff so you're not boring to talk about. I did online dating singles clubs bars and a hiking club (the easiest to get dates,). None is better than the other get out there and don't give up with this not for me bs.. Put the work in practice dating don't jump in too quick.when you do find the right one.

Enjoy single life once you do settle down playtime is over make the most of it.