What helped me was realising there are many people are just as lonely as me. When I force myself to engage, in little ways (even as much as a hello), people seem to take it as an opportunity to speak and it’s quite nice.

I told a quiet neighbour merry Christmas the other day, and he was more animated than I’d ever seen him.

I’m not saying this will help you, though I hope it has some positive bearing as a consideration.