Photo by Liz Kameen.

Welcome back to The Kameenian Korner (the Italian version!). As I write this, I’m in Florence, Italy, for my study abroad semester – an experience that has completely changed my life. 

I’m navigating a new culture, traveling across Europe, and learning how to truly live independently; it’s thrilling, overwhelming, and, at times, lonely.

You might think: “Liz, you’re in the city of love!” And that’s true. But I think this experience is more about finding inner love for myself, discovering my independence, and enjoying the quiet moments of solitude. 

Being away from home has shown me how much I love and rely on the people around me, but I’m also discovering new fulfillments thousands of miles away from everything familiar: art, music, walking, and surprisingly, meals by myself (Carrie Bradshaw style).

I have a boyfriend back home, my sweet big-bicep man named Jon, and long-distance love has its challenges, as I’ve previously mentioned, but it is also new and exciting! My boyfriend goes to the same school as me, and I’m lucky enough to see him every day and be within a drivable distance (well, not when I’m across the Atlantic). 

So, if you’re struggling with physical loneliness while in a relationship, treat being far away from each other as a test; if you care about each other enough, you can and will make it work, no matter what. I am a firm believer AGAINST “right person, wrong time,” because if you wanted to make it work, you would – and so far, we have! We celebrated Valentine’s Day early, scheduled a virtual date for an escape room for the big day, and we always make time to call each other.  

Despite the time-zone difference being 6 hours, we make it work because we care about each other.

Now, onto loneliness: it’s crucial to distinguish between being alone and feeling lonely. As humans, we often equate solitude with isolation, but seclusion can actually be a powerful experience. Being alone gives you time to think, to grow, to appreciate your own company. Loneliness, on the other hand, is when you feel disconnected from those around you — even when you’re in a room full of people.

If you’re feeling lonely, the first step is to acknowledge it. There’s nothing wrong with missing people, feeling like something is absent, or struggling to adjust to changes in your life (like being alone in a foreign country while studying abroad). But rather than viewing loneliness as something negative, try seeing it as an opportunity. What can you do with this time? How can you make peace with being alone?

I’ve been thinking and learning so much about myself in my time alone. 

I also made a list of things that help me feel better when I feel lonely and need a pick-me-up. Anytime I’m sad in Florence, calling my mom and my boyfriend always makes me feel a little better and reminds me that there are so many people who care about me, even if they’re not physically present. 

Reading books, watching movies and TV shows, getting some comfort food, and re-reading positive emails I’ve received in the past always help me feel better.

If you’re feeling alone, be sure to find new connections and communities – I’ve found an amazing group of friends in Italy, and anytime I’m feeling a little alone, a text to or from them makes me feel so much better. It can be nerve-wracking to make new friends or find a new relationship, but complimenting someone’s style and then asking their name is always my go-to and has always worked for me.

Find comfort in doing things alone – it may feel weird at first, but going out to eat, seeing a movie, and exploring the city by yourself can be incredibly empowering; it reminds you that you don’t need someone else to validate your experiences.

Don’t forget to practice self-compassion and limit your social media comparisons; it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking everyone else is constantly surrounded by love, friends, and adventure, but social media only shows the highlights. Focus on your own experiences rather than comparing them to someone else’s curated version of their reality.

Loneliness is usually seen as something to be afraid of, but I’m starting to see it a lot differently. Learning to be alone, to sit with my thoughts without distraction, is an act of self-love. It teaches resilience, independence, and confidence. It’s easy to define ourselves by our relationships — whether romantic, familial, or friendships — but at the end of the day, the relationship we have with ourselves is the most important one of all.

If you’re feeling lonely right now, I want you to know that it’s okay. It doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong, and it doesn’t mean you aren’t loved. It just means you’re human. And in those moments of solitude, you might just discover something beautiful about yourself that you wouldn’t have found otherwise.

So whether you’re abroad, in a relationship, single, or just feeling a little lost, remember this: you are enough, you always have been, and you always will be.