Feeling like you don’t belong can be one of the hardest feelings there is. You can be surrounded by people, laughing and talking, and still feel invisible. That doesn’t mean something’s wrong with you — it means you’re craving real connection.

During the teen years, relationships shift quickly. Some people drift apart, others grow closer. At the same time, you’re trying to find your own place in the world. The brain is wired for belonging — when it can’t find it, it actually feels pain, like physical pain.

But sometimes you have to feel lost before you find your people. Almost everyone goes through a time when they don’t feel like they fit anywhere. It’s not the end — it’s a transition. Loneliness can even teach you who you are, beyond what others expect you to be.

Alma’s tips:

Be gentle with yourself in those moments. You’re not strange for wanting connection — you’re human. Try doing small things that feel meaningful even when you’re alone: write, walk, listen to music, create something. The people who will feel like home — they’re out there, looking for someone like you too. And you’ll find each other, once you stop pretending to be anyone else.