Loneliness in Winter

Winter can be a particularly difficult time for many people. Shorter days, colder weather, and less daylight can naturally lead to more time spent indoors and alone. When the world feels quieter and more closed in, feelings of loneliness can become louder.

During winter, routines often change. Social plans may reduce, motivation can dip, and the energy we have in brighter months can feel harder to access. For some, this season brings memories of loss, past experiences, or unmet needs that resurface when there is more space and stillness.

Loneliness in winter isn’t always about a lack of people, sometimes it can be about a lack of warmth, connection, or feeling understood. You might find yourself withdrawing more, even while wanting connection, or feeling disconnected from yourself as well as from others.

There is no “right” way to feel during winter. If you’re struggling while others seem to be coping, it doesn’t mean you’re failing. Winter can ask more of us emotionally, and it’s okay to acknowledge that this season feels heavy.

Counselling offers a supportive space to explore what winter brings up for you. It can help you make sense of your feelings, find ways to care for yourself during the colder months, and gently reconnect with parts of yourself that feel distant or shut down.

If winter feels isolating or overwhelming, you don’t have to carry that alone. At LH Counselling, I am here to support you through it.