Lonely and Just want to talk with virtual friends here

Thank you Dusti!
I first apologise for not reacting sooner; I have been going through a rough patch and had to take care of some things. I didn't expect anyone would reach out to me in this way, I am so sorry.
If you like you can send me a personal message so we can get this started. How are you doing today? Are you by now a single mom (again)? 😊

Thank you very much, and the mentioning of Ram Dass is so nice!
It is so true: Be Here Now.
I apologise for not answering sooner, this was not my intention. Things happened and I had to cope and take care.
It is very possible to be lonely in a crowd which is actually when I notice being lonely very often; seeing all those people interact with one another, laughing, having fun, drinks, light conversation. It feels as if a glass barrier is between me and them, and I am unable to pass through it. It would be nice to be like that. But it seems like a different world, one I never knew.
At work I make people laugh, explain things, help them do their jobs, get them on the way. And then I am back home and watch television, keeping myself busy, chasing the feelings of loneliness.
The house is full of the echos of my own actions, nothing moves unless I move it. The only sounds come from me. There are no surprises unless I forgot to turn something on, or off, or if something breaks. I feel there is a missing dimension, one in which I can actually connect with others.
I used to draw and paint! I even did pottery. But I seem to have 'lost myself' somewhere, although one of course never loses oneself. In my heart I am still there, here, but tired and slightly freaked.
Tomorrow will be a big day with teaching, having fun, taking care of business. This usually gives me a buzz. I carry that buzz for a few hours, I should put it to good use.
Yes, there is a lot to be said for electronic contact. Here is my line.

Thank you Susan!
I again apologise for not getting back to this sooner; life took a strange turn and I had to take care of things. But I am here now. Let me know if you would like to be in touch.

The thing that's so hard about relations with people is that they look like they're interacting, having a great time, when they may be feeling the same way you are.
One thing I do to try to reach out is to say a nice hello to two or three people, making a comment about the weather or something else that is going on. See what kind of reply you get. Build by having a sentence or two conversation about that topic.

Or if there is someone on staff whom you have respect for, ask them a question about something work related (not too personal), asking for their insight or how they feel about something going on. Many people open up if they feel they can assist you, or if you are interested in their opinion as an equal professionals.

Then each time you see that person, if they have responded positively, do the same thing but either add to the topic (Remember when I was a kid, I'd enjoy ...... when it was like this) or pick another topic, making a little comment about that. See how it goes.
You may find you will have built a communication bridge; people will expect to talk with you. I have found they will respond when I reach out especially if I put forth a little effort. See if it feels like you are making a connection; then build on that.
If people are used to not expecting to have a conversation with you, they may feel that you're quiet and they are respecting the "do not disturb" emotional sign you may have inadvertently put out. Begin by gradually changing their expectations of you. You should make connections with others and the whole world may open up to you.
If you are at an event and you see someone you work with, say hello. Later at work, you may use that as a bridge topic to a conversation.
I think you may have interpersonal skills that have grown rusty. I wish you a brighter future with joy, laughter and friends in it!!

Thank you very much, this is useful indeed 😊 I think more people may find this helpful, thanks for taking the time to write this!

Oh this is so sad. Yes, still alone. No one can change that. This dream is so telling and I am sorry I missed it, being away taking care of other things.
How are you doing now?

You’ve just written about my life. I’ve been alone for 28 years after 22 years of marriage that ended with my husband‘s early death. I find it exceedingly difficult to meet and make friends and being alone and the loneliness is definitely gotten to me negatively. I’m sorry that you too are going through this.

Hi everyone, I find the topic of loneliness an interesting one. I have friends that tell me they are lonely. I am curious if this is a feeling that comes and goes? When I ask them to describe it, it's about something else.

The loneliness can be a serious impact, yes.
Didn't you have friends while you were married? Or are they gone as well? There are no quick solutions I'm afraid, and it sometimes seems others are leading such a happy life that they don't understand what it means to be lonely, even if they mean it so, so well. The distance between others and you/me/us is sometimes almost something that can be touched.

With me it is a strong feeling of 'not belonging' and being out of touch with everyone, of feeling detached from the world. It feels as if I am in a shell without anyone knowing how bad things can be. The feeling rips through my stomach and is like a wave, a blast, it's very powerful and I sometimes feel tears but I don't want to cry.