Check Out These Free Virtual Workshops If You’re Feeling Lonely
No plans? This might help.We hear a lot about this epidemic of loneliness but, if you’re anything like us, you don’t need to be reminded about how lonely you are. It’s a very real thing that you (and honestly so many of us) are dealing with on a daily basis.
So, as we prepped for Mental Health Awareness Month this year, we thought the most valuable thing we could bring you is expert-backed advice for navigating loneliness and making new connections. Throughout the month of May, experts from the Wondermind Advisory Committee led free, virtual workshops designed to help you deal when you’re feeling lonely. And things got really real in these sessions! But don’t worry if you missed them—you can still watch them all on our YouTube channel.
Scroll through for an overview of each workshop so you can decide which one to watch first. And don't forget to sign up for our new Lonely Together newsletter for more expert-backed info like this.
Alone But Not Lonely: How to Freaking Love Your Own Company
The gist: Tips to manage loneliness alone—without needing to surround yourself with people or texting everyone you know
The host: Jenny Wang, PhD
This one goes out to anyone who feels deeply uncomfortable being by themselves. As Dr. Wang tells us, we all have our own “set point” when it comes to connection vs. solitude, and when that balance is out of whack, it can feel pretty crummy. But the key to not hating (and maybe even liking?) your alone time is all in the framing. Basically, what stories do you tell yourself when you’re solo? If they’re filled with judgment and FOMO, can you reframe this time as a necessary recharge instead?
Watch it here!
How to Find Your People
Powered by ASICS
The gist: Tips for meeting like-minded folks you’ll really bond with—and turning those connections into meaningful friendships
The hosts: Nina Polyné, PsyD, and ASICS Elite Athlete Emma Bates
Apparently everyone struggles to make friends as an adult—even therapists and athletes. In this candid conversation, the hosts get real about getting out of your comfort zone to find people you mesh with on a meaningful level. Plus, they offer tips that have worked for them and their clients, like leaning into vulnerability, shared values, and your body’s internal cues to help create connections that feel safe and supportive.
Watch it here!
The Not-At-All-Awkward Small Talk Workshop
The gist: Tips for how to feel more confident chatting up casual strangers and making connections out in the wild
The host: Miriam Kirmayer, PhD
If you would rather sit naked on a hot grill than make small talk with strangers, this workshop is for you. Dr. Kirmayer teaches us how to balance preparation with being present (so you don’t seem like you’re reading off mental notecards), plus how to make other people feel engaged and comfortable in the conversation (which is half the battle!).
Watch it here!
The Introvert's Guide to Going Out
The gist: Tips for hyping yourself up before, feeling confident during, and recharging your social batteries after
The host: Alo Johnston, LMFT
An introvert workshop led by a self-proclaimed introvert? Sign us up! Johnston has tons of tips for setting yourself up for success, setting doable social goals that help you build confidence, and truly just letting yourself bail if you hate it.
Watch it here!
Wondermind does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a replacement for medical advice. Always consult a qualified health or mental health professional with any questions or concerns about your mental health.