Are You Lonely?

In Chandanki, a small village in Gujarat, nobody cooks at home. Not because they can’t, but because they don’t have to. Every meal is shared in a community kitchen, a space designed to bring people together, keep loneliness at bay, and ensure that nobody eats alone. It’s not just about food; it’s about connection.

The project was spearheaded by Poonambhai Patel, the village sarpanch, the elected head of a Gram Panchayat, which is the local self-government system in Indian villages. After spending 20 years in New York, he returned to Chandanki and saw how loneliness was affecting the elderly, as many younger villagers had moved to cities or abroad.

The idea is simple: rather than everyone silently cooking in their own kitchens, they come together for home-style meals prepared by professional cooks. People pay a modest fee, gather in an air-conditioned dining hall powered by solar energy, and share stories over fresh Gujarati food. It’s more than just convenient, it’s about energy.

The goal was to combat isolation, ensure that seniors didn’t have to cook alone, and create a space where people could connect over meals. This initiative has strengthened community bonds, improved mental well-being, and inspired other villages to adopt similar models.

Loneliness isn’t just faced by the elderly.

Loneliness among successful professionals and business owners is an often overlooked topic. Some global statistics on workplace loneliness:

72% of employees worldwide report feeling lonely at least once a month, with 55% experiencing loneliness weekly.
Entrepreneurs and business owners face significant isolation, with studies showing that 50% of entrepreneurs report experiencing loneliness regularly.
A systematic review covering 113 countries found that loneliness prevalence varies by region. In Europe, 2.9% of young adults and 9.6% of middle-aged adults report loneliness, while in Eastern Europe, the numbers rise to 7.5% and 21.3%, respectively.
Remote work has exacerbated workplace loneliness, with 70% of employees who switched to remote work reporting increased feelings of isolation.

Despite being more connected than ever through technology, many high-achieving individuals experience isolation due to several key factors:

Time Constraints: Success often comes at the cost of personal relationships. Entrepreneurs and executives dedicate long hours to their work, leaving little time for socializing or maintaining friendships.
Pressure & Responsibility: Business leaders carry immense pressure, making it difficult to share their struggles with others. The weight of decision-making and leadership can create a sense of isolation, as they may feel that few truly understand their challenges.
Busy Schedules: High-profile careers demand constant travel, meetings, and networking, making it hard to form deep personal connections. Many professionals struggle to maintain stable relationships due to their unpredictable schedules.
Changing Social Dynamics: Studies show that loneliness is rising across all age groups, including entrepreneurs. Despite living in a hyper-connected world, many professionals feel emotionally disconnected, highlighting the paradox of modern success.

Here are some research findings on the emotional cost of workplace loneliness and the silent struggles of high achieving professionals:

Workplace Loneliness Review: This study examines how loneliness manifests in professional settings and its impact on work performance. Key findings show that workplace loneliness is linked to lower job performance, reduced job satisfaction, strained worker-manager relationships, and higher burnout rates. Loneliness often stems from a lack of meaningful connections and organizational belonging.
Entrepreneurial Loneliness: Business leaders frequently experience isolation due to the pressures of leadership and constant decision-making. Research suggests that 50% of entrepreneurs report regular feelings of loneliness, driven by their need to maintain a strong public image while navigating high-stakes responsibilities.
Generational Workplace Loneliness: A global study found that Gen Z professionals experience loneliness at significantly higher rates (29%) compared to Baby Boomers (14%). It also highlights that financial dissatisfaction doubles the likelihood of workplace loneliness, demonstrating the impact of financial wellness on professional isolation.

Isolation and loneliness are areas that can drain our energy. Studies show that social isolation can lead to fatigue and lower energy levels, similar to how hunger affects the body. When people spend extended periods alone, their bodies may naturally reduce energy output, making them feel sluggish and tired. Just like we need food to keep going, we need people too.

Since we spend a large part of our time at our work; isolation and loneliness can take a toil. For those of us who experience workplace loneliness but have social nurturing circles to go to outside of work, such interactions will energise us and contribute to our wellbeing.

But I also know from my conversations with clients that increasingly, more of us may not have access to such nurturing circles. Or through neglect and work prioritisation, we have become distanced from such groups.

If you find yourself increasingly lonely, please pause and reflect on actions that you can take to combat this. You are worth it. The good life is worth it.

Some activities you can consider include joining us in our monthly The Good Life virtual sessions, look for networking or interest groups, seek mentorship or peer support to navigate the emotional toll of leadership or carve out time to spend with your family.

For those of us who enjoy working alone, scheduling periodic interactions can be energising too. For example, I enjoy working alone in my quiet space and independently. But I also find great joy in meeting up even if it is online with my business partners. We always leave the meeting space feeling energised.

What about you?
Are you lonely?
What will you like to do about it?

Build Your Circle of Champions

Reflection

When was the last time I truly connected with someone at work beyond just tasks and deadlines?
Does my success feel fulfilling or is something missing in my day-to-day interactions?
How can I intentionally build deeper and more meaningful relationships in my professional life?

Action

Workplace Loneliness Check-In

Give yourself 1 point for each “Yes”, and 0 points for “No.”

Do you skip small talk at work because it feels forced or exhausting?
Ever had great news but realized there was no one at work you genuinely wanted to share it with?
Do you usually eat lunch alone even when you’d rather have company?
Are most of your work conversations just about tasks and deadlines and rarely anything personal?
Do you catch yourself scrolling through your phone during breaks instead of chatting with colleagues?
Do your workplace relationships feel surface-level rather than meaningful?
When you need support or advice, do you hesitate because you’re not sure who to turn to?

Your Results:

0-2 points: You’re well-connected! Workplace loneliness isn’t a big concern right now.

3-5 points: You might be feeling a little disconnected. Consider small ways to further strengthen workplace connections.

6-7 points: Loneliness may be affecting your work experience. It might be time to be intentional about building meaningful relationships.

Practice for the Week

30^th July is International Day of Friendship. Friendships can be both nurturing or draining. For this week’s practice, reflect on your friendship circle(s):

Who do you need to keep a distance from?
Which relationship will you like to further strengthen to be your circle of champion?

Make an effort to arrange catch ups to spend time with the friend(s) whose relationship(s) you like to further strengthen.