How do I cope with loneliness

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This Thanksgiving, I am reminded of a very powerful emotion -- loneliness. I am back in the place I went to college and thought I'd work afterwards, where I spent the loneliest years of my life (my sister moved here since I left). Back then, I felt so lonely, and had trouble making friends, try as I might. I didn't talk about it for the first few years, but afterwards I had constant breakdowns. Once, I nearly vomitted my dinner I was so lonely. I literally went to the airport and took the next flight home, which is extremely out of character for me.

I moved back home about six months afterwards to be with my mother. I still have sadness, and I'm worried what society thinks (I can well afford to live by myself). But we love each other, and it takes the edge off.

I'm considering leaving the nest again in a year, probably for further schooling (though I'm also considering moving for a change of pace). I know I'll be very lonely, especially on weekends. I can try decreasing it, but that can take years. In the meantime, how do I cope?

One thing I may do to take the edge off is to live in the same city as my brother and sister, both of whom live in different cities. We'd have our own lives, of course, but maybe we can meet up once a month for dinner, just to have some sort of connection. I certainly wouldn't become too dependent on them -- I am self-sufficient with other areas of my life.

what is loneliness? i have never felt unhappy that i am the only company i keep.
i can not imagine my sensorium being diluted to the extent that i am required to consider external points of view for longer than a short amount of time.

but there is a part of me that is envious of the fact that some people really do need other people to complete themselves, however that part of me is microscopic, and i rarely (actually never)catch myself thinking in terms of "longing" for what may be.

what is is what is, and the sky is as blue for me as it is for you.

Loneliness is best described (from my experience) as:

Once, you had lots of questions, and wanted to make sense of everything you saw around you. Once, there was someone around who could answer those questions, and listen to you. They arent here anymore. You cant find anyone else who is like this person, and so have no-one to ask, or tell things too.

I deal with it, with alchohol, weightlifting, and hitting things.

Note-does not always work.

<--- Writes and drinks like a fish.

you seriously probably don't have aspergers if you get loneliness that much. to the other guy lonelienss is an actual emotion state when you're on your own that makes you feel you need to have others around you like physically them seeing you hearing you. for me it can come on when i'm really excited for a while on my own and i'd been wanting to practice social skills and get rid of social anxiety. i'm glad i don't have it though because it made me go out around others and need to be around them even though i'd be getting anxiety around them. i'd go with any emotion regardless of whta it leads to if it's negative in itself then it isn't good.

i have no idea what you mean by 'i'm worried what society thinks of [living with my mom sad]' honestly ffs i keep on seeing people refer to society as if it's a person or wtf i don't even know - if you said 'people' like people used to say back in the day before the meme of 'society' is being used... then i'd no what you mean and i'd think you be referring to the people you know but what are you referring to people in the street somehow psychically reading you or does it refer to interactions with people through work like making cold calls or just calls is that what makes people have a sense of 'society' in their lives? somehow really has to explain that to me.

it's like the word it took me ages to realise that it has no meaning other than telling you that the person whose using the word ignorant must be 'ignorant' themselves. ignorance i realise after field guide to earthlings just i think is a word someone uses to describe someone else's different web of belief.

I find one of the best things to do, is just walk. Or rather, hike. Then you have all of nature as your friend.

If being with your mother satisfies such longing... why not stay? If I had that option, if mine didn't just rip my life to shreds just before getting the chance to rot alone for all eternity, then I would cling to that possibility.

Because she has a life and so do I. Besides, I think things would improve dramatically once the job market improves. If I had a sense that I could get a job in my niche or advance, I would be busier and much more distracted.

Because I still have ambitions beyond my family. They will always be there, but we all know that they are not permanent.

When you figure it out, let me know, okay?

Somehow I'm 30 years old and loneliness hasn't killed me yet. I'm honestly surprised and amazed by that sometimes. I often feel like "6 more months of this would destroy me," but I've felt this way for at least 20 years.

Using my loneliness as motivation, I've forced myself to go out and practice socializing. It's getting better now because I can actually make friends (not the close friends I want to have, but useful "pivots" for social networking).

Try taking classes, joining clubs, attending meetups (meetup.com isn't too bad), dating online and off, going to bars and clubs (don't expect to survive long at first - just go in, have a single beer, and then immediately leave, when you're reasonably comfortable with that, go in, have a single beer, start 1 conversation, and then leave, etc), joining sports teams (varsity teams or private groups, low-intensity sports like ultimate frisbee work if you're not comfortable with more serious engagement), joining Toastmasters, going to support groups, etc. Make a concerted effort to talk to people (you may feel hurt and rejected at first, but keep it up - "hi" or "how's it going" is a fine way to start a conversation if you're unsure of what to say).

Eventually (yes, sadly eventually is a long time) you'll start meeting people who will hang out with you and enjoy talking to you. From there you can "network" to meet other people whom you can get along with.

Maybe for some people loneliness does not seem to bother them..but i totaly understand how it feels when you close your door and you are the only person in the room!
I have As and although i have interaction issues...and don't want loads of people around me..i would still just like to be able to feel that when you need a friend you have someone there to talk to.
Life is hard enough with the struggle that this condition causes..but being isolated and lonley is the biggest killer of all.

"yes" going for a walk does take off the edge a little..and if you have a pet maybe a cat or dog you can take out for a walk helps..but it can never substitute human company when you are lonley....and all of you that can get by on your own with no one around you... must be very contented people!