Five Ways People React When You Tell Them You're Lonely

So, here's the thing. I'm lonely [you may have gathered that from the title, but I just wanted to confirm it for you] and I've found that people react in one of five different ways whenever I tell them that:

1. They Say 'There's Plenty More Fish In The Sea'

Yes. There are. I believe that, I truly do. I want to meet some of these fish, I am ready with my fishing rod [as it were] but the fish either keep swimming away or I catch the wrong kind of fish. Recently I landed a salmon [and I like salmon, it's lovely], but really what I'm looking for is more of an everyday fish, a fish that you don't just have on special occasions [wow, I am really mixing my metaphors here]. I'm essentially looking for tuna but for some reason tuna seems to be in short supply at the moment.

2. They recoil in horror

"Oh God, you're lonely...I'd best stay away from you then. I don't want to catch your loneliness." People are right...they probably should stay away. I don't want to contaminate anyone.

3. They tell you to enjoy being single

Look, I have enjoyed being single, ok? I really have ...I've gone travelling, and had new experiences and made new friends, and worked on my career. I've spent time by myself, I've been on dates [with myself and with the aforementioned lovely salmon] and I've spent lots of time with my friends and family. I haven't sat around moping [much]. I've tried to stay upbeat and open and friendly, and I've gotten a lot out of it. Yet right now, what I really want is a new relationship with someone who is right for me. I feel like I'm done being single, I've had a good time, but now I'm ready for a different phase of life. Unfortunately though, you can't always pick and choose when you want to be single or not, and that's why it's a bit infuriating when people tell you to enjoy the stage you're in...you can make the best of a situation, but ultimately you can't help wanting what you want.

4. They tell you that love is overrated

The thing is...it isn't though, at least not in my experience. Yes love can be difficult, painful, confusing, trying, hard work and intense, but it is still a wonderful thing, and you're not going to convince me that it's not worth having...because I've been in love before, and I know what it's like. So there.

5. They Change the Subject

Some people metaphorically put their fingers in their ears and go 'la la la' when you tell them you're lonely. The thing is, we've all been lonely at one time or another, so why not admit that? I don't care if you think it's a weakness - it's weaker to act like loneliness doesn't exist in my opinion. Why not embrace your humanity, get comfortable with it, and say 'I've been lonely before too'. Why is loneliness still such a taboo?