Leaning into Loneliness: The Stigma of Loneliness with Michelle Ahern

Michelle Ahern is an Australian-born writer, comedian and communications specialist. From poetry to blogs to her latest foray into the world of stand-up comedy, Michelle’s writing and performing always hones in on the guts of life. From the true story of loss that gave way to a new lease on life she has recently moved to Barcelona, Spain where she is starting over, in her 40s. Where there used to be a husband, a family, a home, a dog and a job … she now has a stage and a microphone where she thrives on telling stories of exploring new countries, making new friends and life inside a threesome.

Description

Research shows loneliness is as deadly as smoking 15 cigarettes per day and that people who are lonely are 50% more likely to die at a premature age. So, where do we even start? Loneliness, especially after any form of breakup can be complex, stigmatised and hugely taboo. Sometimes, we don’t even admit to ourselves that we are feeling the waves of chronic loneliness, let alone to anyone else. Why? Because revealing how lonely we are might suggest that we are not likeable, or worthy of companionship, friendship, or love. In some ways, we believe our loneliness is embarrassing - that something within has failed at making meaningful connections. So, we hide it. We run from it, numb it, and scroll for the next social fix, hoping that validation might come in the form of a stranger. In this episode, we reveal how to lean into loneliness: the good, the bad, and the honking hilarious moments in life!

Topics:

In this episode, Ally and Michelle discuss:

• “If you don’t laugh, you’ll cry”: The relationship between laughing and loneliness
• How loneliness makes us question our lovability
• Was becoming a 'throuple' the ultimate cure for Michelle’s lonelier days?
• Starting life over in her 40s: Should we all be on the hunt for a book club?
• Learning to feel the difference between alone and lonely
• Discovering the ways we lean into loneliness: Dating apps, voice-notes, and everything in between!
• The peace in saying, “I’m lonely”

Follow:

You can find Michelle on Instagram: @michelleaherncomedy or via her website www.agentblonde.com

If you love this episode, please share and leave a review — let’s smoke out stigma and make truth-telling the next biggest trend!

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