--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I didn't feel lonely until there was…" description: "\"“I didn't feel lonely until there was something to yearn for. Loneliness and longing are two sides of the same coin.”\" — Jostein Gaarder" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ba1/jostein-gaarder-676_loneliness_i-didn-t-feel-lonely-until-there-was-som_602844.png" --- # I didn't feel lonely until there was something to yearn… ![“I didn't feel lonely until there was something to yearn for. Loneliness and longing are two sides of the same coin.” quote by Jostein Gaarder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ba1/jostein-gaarder-676_loneliness_i-didn-t-feel-lonely-until-there-was-som_602844.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ba1/jostein-gaarder-676_loneliness_i-didn-t-feel-lonely-until-there-was-som_602844.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ba1/jostein-gaarder-676_loneliness_i-didn-t-feel-lonely-until-there-was-som_602844.png) > ““I didn't feel lonely until there was something to yearn for. Loneliness and longing are two sides of the same coin.”” [Jostein Gaarder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jostein-gaarder/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Loneliness is felt only when one has something to desire, linking longing and isolation as two aspects of the same feeling. **In simple terms:** Loneliness comes with desire. Key Takeaway Beware of yearning that creates emptiness. Themes loneliness desire identity Mood contemplative melancholic Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal relationships - creative pursuits - spiritual quests Key Concepts existentialism psychology Questions to Reflect On - What longing makes you feel alone? - Can desire be a positive force? A Different Perspective Desire can also motivate growth, not just isolation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Loneliness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loneliness/) [Longing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/longing/) [Nostalgia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nostalgia/) [Solitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/solitude/) [Two sides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/two-sides/) ## Related quotes > [And it was lonely, to yearn, all alone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lois-lowry/and-it-was-lonely-to-yearn-all-alone/) [Lois Lowry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lois-lowry/) > [Even in this world where you’re getting everything you need and having this nice life, there’s still loneliness and longing and disconnection.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/spike-jonze/even-in-this-world-where-you-re-getting-everything-you-need-and/) [Spike Jonze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spike-jonze/) > [All of that loneliness and longing in my heart got transferred into the book Because of Winn-Dixie, I guess.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-dicamillo/all-of-that-loneliness-and-longing-in-my-heart-got-transferred-into/) [Kate DiCamillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-dicamillo/) > [Feelings such as loneliness, longing or love are sometimes hard to put into words; maybe that's why we all love music, because it resonates…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-obel/feelings-such-as-loneliness-longing-or-love-are-sometimes-hard-to-put/) [Agnes Obel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-obel/) > [Look, it's a monster. 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