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Overcoming Loneliness with Simone Heng

In this inspiring episode of the Choosing Change podcast, I speak with human connection specialist Simone Heng about her journey with loneliness. Simone shares deeply from her own experiences of losing her father at a young age and later caring for her hoarder mother. These events took Simone to some of her loneliest places, yet also provided wisdom.

Simone discusses how the lonely brain works and perceives inadequate connection, even when surrounded by people. She emphasizes that loneliness is a universal human experience, not something to be ashamed of. Understanding this can help alleviate feelings of loneliness.

For those struggling, Simone offers practical tips. Focus on being an active listener in social situations to ease anxiety. Set the goal of understanding others rather than feeling pressure to perform. Loving kindness meditation was also recommended to process difficult emotions that often accompany loneliness.

Most powerfully, Simone reiterates that "the antidote to loneliness is connection." While her circumstances did not provide the connection she wanted at times, she found purpose and meaning in her work as a human connection specialist. Her book "Let's Talk About Loneliness" aims to connect others on this universal topic.

This insightful conversation reminds us that loneliness is nothing to face alone. By openly discussing our experiences and lending an ear to others, we can work to overcome loneliness together through human connection.

I can’t wait for you to listen to this conversation.

Highlights from this episode:

The antidote to loneliness is connection with others.
Loneliness is a universal human experience and nothing to be ashamed of.
Understanding how the lonely brain works can help alleviate feelings of loneliness.
Practising mindfulness and active listening can help ease social anxiety when feeling lonely.
Making changes to one's environment or situation may be necessary to overcome prolonged loneliness.
Trauma and loss can provide wisdom if properly processed over time.
Resources like loving-kindness meditation can help with feelings of anger or resentment associated with loneliness.

Resources & Mentions:

BOOK: Man's Search for Meaning" by Viktor Frankl

BOOK: Attached by Amir Levine

BOOK: Let’s Talk About Loliness by Simone Heng

BEST ONE-LINERS:

"Losing a connection can cause a domino effect in your life and there are people that not only live with losing connection, but now we're looking at a world where you've lost connection and you don't know if they have the tools to make more connection, and we need it for our survival as a species, especially with AI. We absolutely need it." Simone Heng

"The antidote to loneliness is connection." Simone Heng

"I feel like a level of wisdom happens when you've healed unprocessed stuff. So Much of what you've lost that you then understand that your trauma is in a really dark, twisted way - a gift." Simone Heng

"If you can get to a point where, you know, we're all continuously healing. But if you can get to a point where you're, you've processed enough that you function well, then man, it's a gift." Simone Heng

Do reach out to us to continue this conversation.

Connect with Simone

Simone Heng is a human connection specialist and former international broadcaster for, among others, Virgin Radio Dubai, HBO Asia, and CNBC. She is one of the youngest female Certified Speaking Professionals in the world.

With over fifteen years of experience as a communicator on air, on stage, and one on one in different countries, connection has always been her life’s work.

Her latest book “Let’s Talk About Loneliness” has just been published by Hay House.

Links:

Websites: www.simoneheng.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simoneheng/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simone-heng-speaker/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@simoneheng?lang=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simonehengofficial/

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