Photo courtesy: Kai Shadow Design

HEY HEARTUN~ I’m lonely. I came back to Second Life after several years off because Covid isolation was getting me down. Before the Pandemic I went out with friends for board game nights, trivia nights, hanging out at their homes or mine, and loads of laughter at coffee houses and restaurants.

That ended months ago. I live in a hard-hit area that has seen no decline in the numbers. It’s the 3rd leading cause of death in my county, and I personally know two people who have died from this disease and dozens who have gotten it — some with serious conditions after their initial symptoms went away.

I’m not prone to depression but I came back to Second Life in an attempt to socialize with someone, some how — to shake off the blues.

It worked a bit, but either Second Life has changed since I last was here — or I have. The level of mean spirited drama, argument and paranoia from some Residents seems much higher than it was a decade ago. Worse, there used to be a pie-eyed optimism, and a feeling that we were doing something new and important, and I swear it’s all just sex and commercialism now.

I have made a few friends. But I’ve also had some I considered friends hurt me with drama and disfunction. Second Life has never been perfect, but I’m just not finding what I need here this time.

~LONELY LIVES

DEAR LONELY~ First off, you aren’t alone. This topic has been one that’s come across my desk several times in one flavor or another. I hate all the ‘year in review’ crap that every freaking media organization puts out this time of year, but you hit on some themes common to most people who played Second Life in 2020.  Here’s a few articles that address civility, depression, alcoholism and loneliness. I hope they help.

One more thing, Lonely… however bad it’s been, and it has been bad, this too shall pass. Lean on your social groups. Cull people who don’t contribute to your happiness. And continue to reach out.

~HEARTUN BREAKER