Are there useful ways to feel less lonely when actually alone?
Lately, I've felt the loneliness start to kick in on my way home at the end of the day. I dreaded so much coming home to an empty apartment today that I ended up just sitting in my car in the parking lot at Whole Foods reading a magazine (actually passing my house on the way there). Now, I'm back from the grocery store just sitting in my car outside of my apartment. It's like I sense the terrible, empty, sad feelings of loneliness that hit me so hard as soon as I open my door and close it for the evening.

Are there any productive ways to channel these feelings and relieve them when I get home? I usually only have enough energy to take off my shoes and pour myself a glass of water, let alone make a real dinner.

I don't feel sorry for myself...I'm super lucky to have the luxury of living alone in an apartment that I both love and can afford. It's just difficult sometimes, though. I've been disassociating by zoning out in front of the TV for 2-4 hours every night. Sometimes I wish I could be tired enough to just go straight to bed and sleep from 5:30 PM (when I get home) to when I need to wake up for work. Not normal! I would wake up hungry in the middle of the night...also, the sun isn't setting until after 8 for the next few months.

Any ideas? I can't have pets and don't have friends here who I actually like enough to want to see during the workweek.