Have you ever felt lonely? If your answer is yes, you’re not alone.

💡 A survey of US citizens found that over 40% of Americans are lonely, which has raised the call of a “national loneliness epidemic”. 41% of UK adults report feeling lonelier.

‘The effects of feeling isolated in your role as a vet can have a huge impact on mental health and it hasn't been taken seriously yet.’

- Liane Nelson, The Lost Vet book

If we don’t address loneliness, we can enter a vicious cycle where feelings of isolation and disconnection can lead to social withdrawal and even hostile antisocial behaviors. This, in turn, drives further isolation.

“I feel isolated and alone. How do I get more connected?”

ACTIVITY TIME:

1.  Take a piece of paper and write down all the roles you fulfil in your life.

You might be a business owner or the leader of a team. You might be a spouse, you might be a sibling, you might be a friend, you might be a carer, or you might be a pet owner. Write down all the hats you wear in your life and then think about how much time you spend in each area and how you think those relationships are.

2.  Write down the ideal time you would like to spend in each of those roles and notice the difference between that and the reality.

Often, that piece of paper can be stark. You might see that you need more time in the business area. A good chunk might be dedicated to your children, which is the right thing, but be aware if you’re neglecting your parents or friends.

Address the Imbalances

Think about strategies to address those imbalances to make it feel like you are creating a more well-balanced life. At first, that might be about an exercise in easing guilt.

Spending time with a friend you haven’t seen, dialling up your care and responsibilities on one side, or shifting a balance in your relationship. It might even be about rebuilding relationships, but over time, you can make a shift that will allow you to have more balance overall.

Care for Yourself Before you Care for Others

There’s a lot of talk now of self-care and which is one of the most important things to make time for. Self-care might look like occasionally getting up at five o'clock in the morning to create some space for yourself for a quiet cup of coffee.

It might be spending time reflecting and thinking about things. If needs be, use the time you spend in your car on your way to and from work to do it. Wherever you fit it in, it’s invaluable to reflect on where you are, the things you’re proud of and what you would like to introduce into your life that could make it more fulfilling. Then, be proactive about how you create that life.

Commit to Yourself

ACTIVITY TIME:

Find an hour where you can sit, reflect and think about everything that’s important to you. Are you spending enough time doing them?

Create a list of these things that would give you additional enjoyment, connection and fulfilment. How can I introduce them, and how can I make the time for them?

Here are 3 questions to think about…

1. Have you checked out TheLostVet.com to see if we can help?
2. Who is in your network? Are you surrounded by the people you need?
3. What are your habits around people? Can you meet 'your people' more often away from work and just have fun or downtime?

This blog has been written in relation to The Lost Vet book. Read the full book for more amazing tips.

Read the Full Book

Become a Connected Veterinarian with The Lost Vet

At The Lost Vet, we help you find your passion and purpose again.

You’ll have:

• The job you always dreamed of
• More time for you and your friends and family, hobbies and interests
• Increased profit and growth with less stress
• An empowered team
• Clients that truly value the service and advice you provide

Don’t take our word for it, contact us today to find your passion and purpose again.