So for someone listening facing the same loneliness that, that you were just speaking about, what are, let's say, three concrete steps that they can take right now after listening to this episode that might alleviate some of that or, or set them on a different path?

Absolutely.

I think first and foremost, you gotta get out of your house.

Uh, unless you wanna be talking to yourself.

I know I'm a great conversationalist with myself, but that's not really gonna help any loneliness.

So you're gonna have to get out there and put yourself out there, which is scary and intimidating, and I think a big reason why people sometimes revert back to this loneliness.

And so I think the best way to do that is to start with your own interests.

You know, we were starting this conversation talking about how the District may be one of the loneliest cities in the country, but are there advantages that DC has in fighting that loneliness that maybe other places don't have?