Emily described herself as an introvert who prefers being alone. For Emily, her happiness and wellbeing don’t depend on socialising. At some point however, she became lonely. She spent a long period of time during secondary school being completely isolated from her peers and feeling that she needed the physical presence of others.

Being bullied in secondary school has made it hard for Emily to reach out to people and make friends.

She also feels that her behaviour, interests and need for time alone are not seen as normal to other people her age.

Emily questions her social skills. She says she is content with not being very outgoing but realises there is a need to make friends to avoid being lonely. Being at University has made it easier to be ‘different’ because she has met a wider variety of different personality types.

In Emily’s view, loneliness is a feeling that evolves with time and she is more accepting towards it now.  But it can also make one feel invisible. She describes it as being trapped in her own bubble and feeling that no one was trying approach that space and therefore hear her. According to Emily, loneliness can also encourage people to make social connections, which is necessary for society to function.