I No Longer Have A Life, I Merely Exist

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About 16 million UK adults are seeing loved ones less due to the cost-of-living crisis, a Which? Survey has warned as some people feel like they are just ‘existing’ through life rather than having any sense of enjoyment.

This is putting many people’s mental wellbeing at risk.

The survey of nearly 4,000 UK adults found that three in 10 (31%) said they saw less of friends and family due to financial pressures – which equates to the estimated 16 million UK adults.

Almost half (48%) of those surveyed also said they spent more time at home, bringing the figure to an estimated 26 million people starting to feel more isolated.

Four out of 10 (40%) said they became more distant from their friends and a quarter (25%) of people in a relationship said they experienced significant strain on their relationship with their partner due to the cost-of-living crisis.

One man earning up to £34,999 a year said: “I no longer have a life, I merely exist. It’s miserable, depressing and I’m isolated from my friends as I can no longer afford to go out with them.”

 

Age related

Which?’s research also found that some age groups were more likely than others to feel socially isolated. Younger adults aged 18-34 were almost twice as likely to feel distant from friends than those aged over 55 – with half (50%) of 18-34 years olds saying they felt this way compared to just over a quarter (27%) of those aged 55 or older.

Younger adults were also three times as likely to experience strains in their relationship. Nearly four in 10 (37%) of 18-34 year olds said their relationship with their partner was under significant strain compared to one in eight (12%) of those aged over 55.

This is likely because younger people often have larger existing networks and spend more time socialising than older people. As a result, they may have felt the impact of not being able to see friends more acutely.

 

 “It’s hugely concerning that millions of people have been isolated from their loved ones during the cost-of-living crisis – putting their mental and emotional wellbeing at risk.”

– Rocio Concha 

Director of policy & advocacy, Which?

 

Kids

People with children at home were also likely to experience feelings of isolation and loneliness compared to those without. Almost half (48%) of those with children at home reported they felt distant from friends compared to four in 10 (40%) of those without and just over a quarter (27%) of those with grown-up children who no longer live at home.

Similarly, a quarter (26%) of those with children at home said their relationship with their partner was under significant strain due to the crisis compared to one in five (22%) of those without and one in 10 (11%) of those with grown-up children who no longer live at home.

This is likely because those with young children are not able to go out with their friends or partners as much as they need to find childcare. With childcare costs also rising, those with young children could find it even more difficult to socialise. They are also likely to feel additional strains on their relationship from the heavier financial burdens of having more dependents. 

 

Winter blues

With winter and higher energy bills fast approaching, both government and businesses must carefully consider how best to support those most in need to avoid further financial and emotional harm.

If people are missing or struggling to afford essential payments – such as energy, credit card or mortgage payments – then they should speak to their provider immediately for help.

 

Picture: People are feeling lonely and disconnected according to a Which? Survey.

Article written by Cathryn Ellis
30th November 2023

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