Lunch Loneliness- The calm in the chaos of a school cafeteria

There is a feeling that many high schoolers know all too well- loneliness in a room full of people. For some, lunchtime can be an anticipated part of a student’s day- a time to catch up with friends and reset for remaining classes. However, other students spend their lunch in solitude. Whether by choice or not, it’s important to bring awareness to the kids that eat alone.

High school can be extremely overwhelming at times. Students must balance classes, friends, jobs, and sometimes drama all at once. It makes sense that teens might want a break during the school day.

“I eat lunch by myself when my friends don’t come to school. Or if I’m just feeling low energy that day and don’t feel like talking, I keep to myself,” Kassidy Johnson said.

Another big reasons someone may eat alone is anxiety. Roughly 1 in 5 teens report anxiety symptoms, and about 1 in 10 experience social anxiety severe enough to be considered a disorder. Whatever the cause may be, it’s important to embrace inclusion. If you know someone is new to the school or even notice someone who often spends lunch by themselves, don’t be afraid to invite them to sit with you. You never know what they could be going through or if they could use a friend.

“I switched to Burke this year and making friends didn’t come easy at first. The cafeteria gave me anxiety because I felt like everyone already had their groups and I didn’t know where to fit in,” an anonymous student said.