If someone engages in these 12 behaviors, they're probably quite lonely in life

All these behaviors point to deep feelings of loneliness.

A woman with long hair sits at a wooden table, looking thoughtfully to the side. She is wearing an off-the-shoulder blue patterned top. The background features wooden paneled walls.

Loneliness is a big part of the modern age, slipping into our lives almost unnoticed and hiding itself as bad habits or quirky routines. Let’s look at some of these everyday actions that might be subtle SOS signals from someone struggling with solitude. Just because you do these things doesn’t mean you’re definitely lonely, but it’s a good indicator that you might be.

1. Scrolling endlessly through social media.

A person with light hair in braids is holding a smartphone and smiling slightly. Various social media reaction icons, such as thumbs up, hearts, and smiley faces, are overlaid around the person, indicating engagement with content on their device.

For the lonely, social media is the place to find connections that usually slip through the net. Their thumbs tire from endless scrolling, with each swipe being a hope for the “ping” of companionship. Unfortunately, the digital chatter is just a band-aid on their quiet world because it gives temporary smiles but leaves their hearts feeling heavy. Those fleeting moments of distant interactions do very little to improve their mostly quiet lives.

2. Turning down invites.

A person with shoulder-length dark hair, wearing a black beret, eyeglasses, and a red sweater, is extending one hand forward in a "stop" gesture while looking directly at the camera. They also have a black backpack over one shoulder.

“It’s just not a good night for me” is something you’ll hear a lot from those who feel lonely in life. Declining invitations becomes their norm, not because their calendar is packed but because the thought of small talk and laughter feels more exhausting than the solitude they’ve become accustomed to. The couch feels safer than the crowd, and their home is a safe place away from the effort of pretense.

3. Burying themselves in work.

A man in a shirt and tie sits on a desk, looking pensive with his hand on his chin. A lit desk lamp, cup of coffee, and open notebook are in front of him. He is working late in a dimly lit office. A laptop is to the side, and shelves of binders are behind him.

You’ll likely see a desk cluttered with papers and computer screens glowing late into the night in a lonely person’s home. They pour themselves into work because they can measure their success in finished tasks and not by the emptiness of their dinner table. The office has become their haven. It’s there that they can avoid the silent echoes of an unshared apartment and find solace in to-do lists and deadlines.

4. Starving for close relationships.

A woman with long brown hair and a serious expression gazes softly past the camera. She is wearing a white blouse with thin black stripes. The background is dimly lit, creating a moody atmosphere.

A lonely person may have a contact list full of names, yet no one to call. People with sparse social connections find their phone rarely rings, and the silence around them speaks louder than words. That doesn’t mean you won’t see them in crowds, but when you do, they’re feeling invisible because they’re surrounded yet alone. Most of their interactions are transactional—they don’t have any of the warmth you’ll find in conversations between close friends.

5. Binging series after series.

A man with short dark hair and a beard sits on a beige armchair, holding a TV remote in one hand while resting his head on the other. He seems uninterested or bored. A bowl of popcorn is placed on the arm of the chair beside him.

For lonely people, television characters replace real-life friends. They laugh at scripted jokes and follow detailed plot twists, finding a sense of peace in fictional lives that they don’t get from the real world. Episode after episode, lonely people sink deeper into the couch. Their laughter sounds a little forced, and the cliffhangers of each episode replace any drama or excitement in their normal lives.

6. Shopping without rest.

A woman stands in a shopping mall holding several colorful shopping bags. She appears thoughtful with one hand resting on her chin. She is wearing a sleeveless dress with a dark blue floral pattern on a light background. The background shows blurred mall stores.

For some lonely people, the thrill of a purchase is a momentary rush that helps to distract them from the evenings and weekends they spend alone. But soon enough, the joy of the new item wears off, and they’re back to that unfulfilled void. These people will return to the stores as soon as they have a chance to. They’re hoping that this time, the perfect jacket or gadget might just fill the gap that companionship used to.

7. Relying too much on furry friends.

An elderly man with a long white beard and glasses sits in a kitchen holding an orange cat. He is looking at a laptop on a wooden table, with sunlight streaming through a window nearby. The kitchen has a black brick backsplash, knives on a magnetic strip, and potted plants.

Of course, having pets is also great, but furry friends are the main source of comfort for those feeling isolated. After all, those barks and meows can fill the silence, while caring for them helps give the lonely person a purpose that they can’t get from human relationships anymore. And while this bond with an animal is precious, it can’t fully replace human connection. Human interactions are far more meaningful.

8. Moving from place to place.

A woman in a plaid shirt and jeans sits on a wooden floor, surrounded by cardboard moving boxes. She rests her chin on her hand, gazing thoughtfully into the distance. The room has large windows, some sunlight, and a potted plant in the background.

A change of scenery, change of pace—but the same old loneliness. Anyone who moves around a lot is probably chasing the promise of a fresh start, but this usually leads to shallow roots. After all, making and maintaining meaningful relationships is harder with every new address. They may start each move feeling hopeful, but they’ve packed their solitude with their boxes and suitcases.

9. Closing off with body language.

A woman with long hair stands against a black wall with pink abstract streaks. She wears a light pink blouse and blue pants tied with a bow in front. She has one arm crossed over her chest and looks off to the side with a thoughtful expression.

Crossed arms and averted eyes are bad habits, and they’re also a kind of protection against the world. Those who feel lonely might subconsciously tell others to keep their distance so they can protect their fragile inner world from any superficial interactions. While it might be a way to protect their emotions, it actually just imprisons these people with their own reflections.

10. Dating online non-stop.

A person with long dark hair lies in bed, resting their head on a white pillow while looking at a smartphone held in their right hand. The person is under a white blanket, and the room has a soft blue light. The person has a pensive expression.

Swiping through dating apps is exhausting and, more often than not, disappointing. The lonely heart hopes each date fills the void, yet the cycle of fleeting connections often leads to greater isolation because these conversations fizzle out all too quickly. After no time at all, they’re right back where they started—thumbing through profiles, believing the next one might be the charm.

11. Grabbing fast food frequently.

A person sitting cross-legged, holding a glass of cola with a straw. In front of them is an open book and a lunch container with a burger and fries. They are reaching for a fry with one hand. They are wearing jeans and a light sweater.

When people constantly grab meals on the go, it may be a sign that their lives are rushing past their deeper needs—like connection. Convenience food is the norm for people who dine alone. These dishes satisfy their bodies but starve their souls. After all, any quick bites over the kitchen sink or by the dim TV light are far from the laughter-filled dinner parties they miss.

12. Ignoring self-care.

Close-up of a person with vibrant blue hair lying down, wearing an orange hoodie. They gaze thoughtfully into the distance, creating a striking contrast between their hair and clothing.

Ignoring personal care can be a sign of inner neglect and suggests that this person thinks they aren’t worth the effort. Without the motivation of someone noticing, the lonely start allowing the rituals of self-care to slip away. These routines become as unnoticed as they feel. They don’t feel loved or seen, so self-care becomes just another thing that doesn’t matter.