There’s a strange silence that lives in crowded places.

I felt it for the first time during my second week at the hostel. The halls were noisy, the mess was full of laughter, and there was always someone playing music from a speaker. But inside me, there was stillness. The kind that feels heavy.

Loneliness in a hostel doesn’t always come from being alone. It comes from feeling like you don’t belong — even when you’re surrounded by people.

If you’re reading this and nodding quietly to yourself, know this: you’re not the only one. Whether you’re in a girls PG, a first-year student in a girls hostel , or living in the boys hostel , the feeling of isolation is something many go through — but few talk about.

So let’s talk about it. And more importantly, let’s talk about how to cope.

The Illusion of Togetherness

Hostels are full of faces. Some smile at you every morning, others pass by without a glance. You hear people talking about weekend plans, inside jokes, late-night birthday celebrations — and somehow, you’re not part of it.

That’s the hardest kind of loneliness. When you feel invisible among people who seem so connected.

In my first month at the hostel , I joined a group of guys for dinner just to feel included. But I didn’t say much. I laughed at their jokes but felt like I was watching from a distance. Afterward, I sat on my bed and wondered if something was wrong with me.

Turns out, it wasn’t just me. It was the adjustment curve.

Find One Person, Not a Crowd

You don’t need ten people. You just need one person who gets you.

I met Aditi, a fellow loner from the hostel , while waiting in line at the campus café. We bonded over our shared love for quiet corners and overthinking everything. That one conversation led to evening walks, movie nights, and — most importantly — a feeling of belonging.

If you’re living in a girls PG in Dehradun or a shared hostel room, observe quietly. Who seems kind? Who makes eye contact? Sometimes, a small “hey” can open the door to something real.

Create a Familiar Space

Loneliness grows louder in unfamiliar surroundings.

I began decorating my hostel bed like it was home. A soft blanket from back home. My favorite books. A tiny corkboard with pictures. That tiny corner of the my room began to feel less like a stranger and more like mine.

Create a routine. Light a candle (if allowed), write a journal entry, call someone you trust every Sunday. These rituals ground you.

Fill Your Cup (Before Others Can)

I used to wait for someone to check on me. To ask if I was okay. But over time, I learned that waiting only deepens the ache.

So I started giving myself what I needed — validation, care, and kindness.

Start your morning with a walk. Practice yoga. Read something that inspires you. Even a 15-minute break from your thoughts can help you breathe again.

Whether you live in a girls PG or the boys hostel , make yourself your priority. You don’t need permission.

Say It Out Loud

Here’s something nobody told me: talking about your loneliness actually helps.

One evening, while sitting in the hostel mess, I blurted out to a batchmate, “Do you ever feel alone even when everyone’s around?” He looked surprised — and then nodded. That conversation helped both of us.

You’d be amazed how many people are quietly aching inside. Sharing opens doors. Even just texting someone, “Hey, I’ve been feeling a little off lately,” can be the beginning of healing.

This Too Shall Pass

Loneliness in a hostel feels like it will never end. But it does.

One day, you’ll look around the common room and realize that someone saved you a seat. That someone asked how your day was. That the Place you once felt lost now carries memories you treasure.

Until that day comes, be gentle with yourself. Isolation isn’t a weakness — it’s a sign you’re human. It’s a signal that your heart is open, longing to connect.

So if you’re in a girls PG in Dehradun, wondering if things will get better, or if you’re in the best boys hostel in Dehradun, sitting silently with your thoughts, just know — connection is coming. Your people are out there. And your peace is closer than you think.