April 23, 2025

By Jordan L. Harris

Lately, I’ve been feeling like I’m drowning in a sea of loneliness. It’s not that I don’t try—trust me, I do. I’ve always loved talking to people, hearing their stories, sharing mine, and just connecting on some human level. But it feels like every time I try to reach out, I’m met with rejection, judgment, or worse, indifference. And I just… I don’t know how to stop feeling so empty anymore.

I’m 16, but I feel like I’ve already lived a lifetime of hurt. I’ve always been that one person who tries to be there for others, offering support, a listening ear, a shoulder to lean on. But when the tables are turned, it feels like no one’s ever really there for me. People are so quick to forget that I’m a person too. My friends, the ones I thought I could count on, have come and gone, leaving me with nothing but empty promises and false words.

I get it. I’ve been treated horribly, and it’s made me wary, and now, it’s harder than ever to trust anyone. But still, all I really want is to connect with someone, even if it’s just a little bit. Someone who won’t ghost me when things get tough, someone who can understand what it’s like to feel this way—like you’re invisible and yet, somehow, the world still expects you to keep going. I’m not asking for sympathy. I’m asking for someone to understand that I’m not a lost cause, I’m just hurting.

I don’t know why it’s so hard to find friends who will stick around. Maybe it’s my fault. Maybe I’m too much for people to handle. I have this constant battle in my head, where I’m telling myself I’m fine, I’m fine, I’m fine, and yet, I feel anything but. It’s like being stuck in a crowd, surrounded by people, yet still feeling completely alone.

I don’t know if this is the right place to put this, but I’m running out of options. I’m tired of pretending I’m okay when I’m not. I just need someone real to talk to, someone who gets it. Is that too much to ask?

If you’re reading this and you’ve ever felt the same, please, don’t leave me hanging. I’m just looking for a real connection, someone who isn’t going to judge me, someone who wants to share the ups and downs of life.