Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Navigating loneliness is tough on its own, but when shame enters the fray, it feels almost ...
[+] insurmountable. Here's how you can begin to unspool the tangled mess. Shame is a powerful emotion and a deeply distressing feeling associated with the perception of having done something wrong or being fundamentally flawed.
While the link between loneliness and shame is often discussed in terms of how loneliness can lead to feelings of shame, the inverse relationship—how shame can lead to loneliness—is equally significant but remains underexplored. Understanding the connection between shame and loneliness is important because it sheds light on the vicious cycle it can trap individuals in. Recognizing how shame contributes to loneliness can help develop effective strategies to break this cycle and promote psychological well-being.
Here are three ways shame leads to loneliness. 1. Internalization Of Negative Self-Perception When individuals feel ashamed of who they are at their core, they often develop a belief that they are inherently flawed or unworthy of love and connection.
For example, a person who grew up in a household where academic success was highly valued, and they struggled in school, might internalize the belief that they are not intelligent or capable, feeling ashamed of their perceived failure. This self-stigma then acts as a barrier to forming meaningful connections with others. The belief that one is undeser.
