Distance Brings Us Together (Samantha)

“You are not alone.”

So many people have told me those words, so many times. I grew to resent that saying. “How could this help me?” I thought. That resentment leads to increased negative feelings and loneliness. 

But something changed my mind.

I now know what created such hostility towards those words of supposed comfort. I was just hearing that expression, while I needed to feel it. Eventually, those words were felt when I got to know others through Letters Against Depression. I read brave peoples’ amazing stories and thought, “this is just like me!” Soon after, I would join those brave folks and bare my own story. LAD connected me to people from all different places, with similar feelings and difficulties. 

Where these people are doesn’t matter. They could be in a neighboring town or in a different time zone. Our mutual experiences and emotions connect us. I could share with them similar self esteem issues, quarrels with family, uncertainness about the future, or just a bad day. 

I'm not going to say this experience made everything better. But it eased some of those negative feelings, then and now. It amazes me that such strong people are going through similar things such as myself. A far away friendship is formed, not subject to a constant need to stay in touch or say certain things. Sharing our thoughts and stories kindle and keep a bond alive. 

It is amazing how alike people can be. As much as we are told how different we are, at our core, we are similar, more so. We all want something positive in our lives. We may be looking for love, friendship, happiness, or something we can not even put into words.

I think holidays are a great reminder of this similarity, especially if we look to the winter season. The past celebrations of Diwali and Hanukkah, near Yule, Christmas, and Kwanza, and further ahead New Year celebrations all incorporate light. Neither culture, nor continent keep us from celebrating and kindling warmth and kindness during the harsh winter months. 

Now more than ever, we can connect with each other and disparage our divisions. Letter writing has provided me and others with opportunities to learn new things and pause our negative situations with some positivity.

Do you have any thoughts on loneliness, connection, or the holidays? Are there any sayings you take with a grain of salt? Has an experience changed your mind on any long held beliefs? I would love to hear what you have to say. 

Thank you to all the letter writers and recipients for their openness and bravery. Happy holidays from myself and Letters Against Depression!