Thank you, Chris, for talking about this. I have been alone a lot, since no longer working. I start to talk to myself out loud at times. It is out of loneliness.

I, too, remember noticing other people doing this, people who were obviously very lonely. I felt very bad for them. They were people who were living lives that involved being alone for way too much of the time. I manage to not talk to myself in public. But, at home, I am falling into talking to imaginary people. I mean, I don't actually imagine a make-believe person, but I am talking as though someone were listening and interested.

I have a significant other whom I visit and spend time with. But he is getting aged and inward-turning. He stares at the TV and seems to not want conversation. This leaves me very alone. I've tried talking with him about this, but that has been to no avail. He seems to almost prefer being alone most of the time.

I'm not sure I know exactly what "miming" means, but I think I may. I'm guessing it involves gesturing and facial expression. I agree that it is a sign of loneliness and, specifically, loneliness that has gone on too long. I think that is a very astute observation that you have made.

It is easy to recommend getting involved in something outside the home, but that may miss the core problem. I think people get real lonely, often, because there are psychological impediments to them doing just that. Those problems can be awfully difficult to get past. I wish that were better understood.

I'm starting to keep the TV on more than I really want. Then I am afraid to turn it off because the aloneness can seem huge when I do. It is painful.