Loneliness Among Migrants In London by B.Y. Chen

LONELINESS AMONG MIGRANTS IN LONDON

Content EDITORAIL

JIMMY

X GEORGE VINCE

@ BYCHENDESIGN

06 08 10

LONELINESS AMONG MIGRANTS IN LONDON

EDITORIAL Bo-Yu Chen

At some point last year, whilst riding on the tube, I found an article in a discarded copy of The Economist about loneliness in London. This article indicated that Britain is the ‘loneliness capital of Europe’. In fact, strong feelings of loneliness formed my first impressions of London when I started my new life here one and a half years ago. As an international student, at the beginning of term I was very excited about trying new things. All the while, I felt quite frustrated with language barriers and cultural differences, which hindered my access to information and ability to communicate my ideas with my class as well as in daily life. Sometimes the feeling of loneliness was even more harrowing, especially when I missed my family in Taiwan. All I wanted was to talk to them, but due to the 8 hour time difference they would already be in bed on the other side of the Earth. Fortunately, I wasn’t alone. I moved into a flat with my Taiwanese friend and became friends with 04

my other flatmates too. Gradually I started to feel less lonely, and grew more curious about how other people experience and cope with loneliness in London. Loneliness is a growing problem in metropolitan society. According to research by the British charity The Forum, loneliness and social isolation have serious negative impacts on our health, such as increasing the risk of premature death by 30%, putting in on par with obesity and heavy smoking. Furthermore, it is also one of the toughest challenges facing migrants in London. I want to discover more about loneliness among migrants, and get a greater understanding of their experiences and feelings. Using this zine I want to illustrate the problems with loneliness in London, through a combination of informative statistics and insightful interviews conducted with migrants in the city. How does loneliness affect us in our day to day lives, and what can we learn from it?

About the interviews Loneliness is a subjective feeling and is sometime to describe in words. Baring this in mind, I asked all the interviewees to try and express their feelings of loneliness visually through a sketch. These sketches form the basis of my own illustrations in which I seek to empathise with my interviewees, and through geometric abstraction find a commonality between our experiences.

(TimeOUT)

LONELINESS AMONG MIGRANTS IN LONDON

EDITORIAL Bo-Yu Chen

my other flatmates too. Gradually I started to feel less lonely, and grew more curious about how other people experience and cope with loneliness in London. Loneliness is a growing problem in metropolitan society. According to research by the British charity The Forum, loneliness and social isolation have serious negative impacts on our health, such as increasing the risk of premature death by 30%, putting in on par with obesity and heavy smoking. London Furthermore, it is also one ofNew the York toughest challenges facing Dubai migrants in London. Los Angeles São Paulo Hong kong Miami Tokyo Singapore Barcelona Paris Sydney Kuala Lumper Chicago Mexico City Madrid Melbourne Lisbon

I want to discover more about loneliness among migrants, and get a greater understanding of their experiences and feelings. Using this zine I want to illustrate the problems with loneliness in London, through a combination of informative statistics and insightful interviews conducted with migrants in the city. How does loneliness affect us in our day to day lives, and what can we learn from it? (TimeOUT)

LONELINESS AMONG MIGRANTS IN LONDON

Years i n London : 1 .5

Age: 23

Nationality: Taiwanese

JIMMY Normally, I feel very anxious and tired which causes bad mood swings. Physically, I smoke a lot and sometimes break out in a cold sweat.

Can you describe your personality? A former extrovert, a current overthinker. What kind of accommodation do you live in London? And how many people do you live with? A four-bedroom flat. Is this your first time living in London? For how many years so far? Did you find it difficult to fit in at the beginning? Yes, for 1.5 years. I think people from different countries to this new environment had a really hard time at the beginning, so am I. The beginning was really hard for me. I was quite depressed and not adapted. Because I had to adapt to this new pace of life and make new friends. Do you feel more grounded after 1.5 years in London? Yes, I guess anyone can get familiar with a place in a couple of months. It’s hard to explain why. It’s a combination of lots of things getting together. Being more familiar with a place do makes me feel more grounded. Do you sometimes feel depressed because you miss your social circle back to your hometown? Not really, I won’t say it is depressing. I would like to say it is more about missing. I missed the comfort zone which I had in Taipei, and I was anxious about insecurity, having a new social circle and life in London. In which places have you felt lonelier, your hometown or where you live now? London definitely. If I was in my hometown and felt lonely, I could just go to visit my friends. I also think that people I know here, they all really busy and have their own things to do such as school projects. 08

Do you think London is a lonely city? Absolutely. The pace of life is super fast here, which makes it hard to build deep relationships with people around you. Everyone is struggling with their own business and has on extra effort to care about others. According to you, what causes loneliness in London? Please put 3 causes in an order of significance. Why in this order? Environment, study and friendship. Tell us about the first time when you felt lonely in London? One month after the beginning of the first semester. I felt that it was hard for me to make close friends with different nationalities due to the reasons of cultural differences and values. Also, there was no any Taiwanese students in my programme to talk to. When do you normally feel lonely? At late night. How does the sense of loneliness affect you physically and mentally? How do you deal with loneliness? Normally, I feel very anxious and tired which causes bad mood swings. Physically, I smoke a lot and sometimes break out in a cold sweat. What’s the loneliest thing from your points of view? Isolated. If someone is deciding to move to London alone for the first time whatadvice would you give to them in terms of adapting to the new environment? Taking good care of your physical health, which will help you with the mental one.

40% 27%

(BBC Loneliness Experiment)

LONELINESS AMONG MIGRANTS IN LONDON

Years i n London : 1 .5

Age: 23

Nationality: Taiwanese

JIMMY Normally, I feel very anxious and tired which causes bad mood swings. Physically, I smoke a lot and sometimes break out in a cold sweat.

Dubai LosdoAngeles When you normally feel lonely? Paulo AtSão late night. Hong kong How does the sense of loneliness affect you physically and Miami mentally? How do you deal with loneliness? Tokyo Normally, I feel very anxious and tired which causes bad mood Singapore swings. Physically, I smoke a lot and sometimes break out in a Barcelona cold sweat. Paris Sydney What’s the loneliest thing from your points of view? Kuala Lumper Isolated. Chicago Mexicois City If someone deciding to move to London alone for the first Madrid time whatadvice would you give to them in terms of adapting Melbourne to the new environment? Lisbon Taking good care of your physical health, which will help you

with the mental one.

(TimeOUT)

LONELINESS AMONG MIGRANTS IN LONDON

Years i n London : 3

Age: 25

Nationality: Latin America

X It affects me physically, as I suffer from an eating disorder...

Can you describe your personality? Outgoing, open, friendly (I guess).

Perception of time (forced into us by the pace of the city) Privileges (sociocultural or/and economical barriers)

What kind of accommodation do you live in London? And how many people do you live with? I live in a house with other 4 people and a cat.

Tell us about the first time when you felt lonely in London? I think right at the beginning, especially when it comes to framing time. London is in hyper motion while you are in slowmotion, you always feel left behind, not enough, not worthy. Once you accept your own rhythm you coexist with the city and not co-depend.

Is this your first time living in London? For how many years so far? Did you find it difficult to fit in at the beginning? Yes, it is. I’ve been in Ldn for about 3 years now, and yes it was difficult in the beginning – but now I love it. Do you feel more grounded after 3 years in London? I think it’s not an easy city, a punch in the face type of place… but only in the beginning. Once you understand that your rhythm doesn’t need to match the city’s rhythm, you will feel much more at home. Do you sometimes feel depressed because you miss your social circle back to your hometown? Yes and no, mainly because I have a sort of family of friends here and I’m a child of the universe. In which places have you felt lonelier, your hometown or where you live now? I think here, it’s hard to describe why. Do you think London is a lonely city? Yes, it’s one of the loneliest in Europe from what I’ve read. According to you, what causes loneliness in London? Please put 3 causes in an order of significance. Why in this order? Disposable life-style (easy and quick way of socially engaging society, and seek quick validation) 12

When do you normally feel lonely? When I’m fragile and loose self-confidence. How does the sense of loneliness affect you physically and mentally? How do you deal with loneliness? It affects me physically, as I suffer from an eating disorder. I try to deal with it by “feeling and healing” and trying to be easy on myself, telling my friends I’m proud of them and confront my inner vulnerability. You always learn something. What’s the loneliest thing from your points of view? Not have anyone to talk to. If someone is deciding to move to London alone for the first time whatadvice would you give to them in terms of adapting to the new environment? To not stress out about the rhythm of the city, allow yourself enough time to feel comfortable in your new space and meeting new people. Also have a ritual of little things that make you happy

500,000 60

(Age UK)

LONELINESS AMONG MIGRANTS IN LONDON

Years i n London : 3

Age: 25

Nationality: Latin America

X It affects me physically, as I suffer from an eating disorder...

Can you describe your personality? Outgoing, open, friendly (I guess).

Perception of time (forced into us by the pace of the city) Privileges (sociocultural or/and economical barriers)

What kind of accommodation do you live in London? And how many people do you live with? I live in a house with other 4 people and a cat.

migrants

refugees

(The Forum)

LONELINESS AMONG MIGRANTS IN LONDON

Years i n London : 3

Age: 25

Nationality: Latin America

X It affects me physically, as I suffer from an eating disorder...

Can you describe your personality? Outgoing, open, friendly (I guess).

Perception of time (forced into us by the pace of the city) Privileges (sociocultural or/and economical barriers)

What kind of accommodation do you live in London? And how many people do you live with? I live in a house with other 4 people and a cat.

LONELINESS AMONG MIGRANTS IN LONDON

Years i n London : 3.5

Age: 28

Nationality: G reek

GEORGE It affects me mentally first, I feel a bit depressed. And this translates to a physical discomfort/ contraction but not always.

Can you describe your personality? I’m generally social, spontaneous and outgoing. What kind of accommodation do you live in London? And how many people do you live with? During my first year in London I would live in accommodation studios packed filled with students. I currently live with two other people in a flat. Is this your first time living in London? For how many years so far? Did you find it difficult to fit in at the beginning? It was the first time when I came here 3.5 years ago. It was easy to fit in because I had travelled alone before and my level of English is pretty good. Do you sometimes feel depressed because you miss your social circle back to your hometown? I sometimes feel like I want to go back to my hometown to see my family and old friends. And this feeling is becoming more persistent the more I stay in London. Do you think there is a gap with your hometown family and friends since you have lived in London for 3.5 years? There is a gap, in that I don’t see them often but only when I visit home for the holidays. But luckily, everytime I see them it feels as if nothing has changed. In which places have you felt lonelier, your hometown or where you live now? Where I live now. Do you think London is a lonely city? I think so, I think life can be easier if you find love here. 18

According to you, what causes loneliness in London? Please put 3 causes in an order of significance. Why in this order? Lack of friends, social media addiction, big city culture Tell us about the first time when you felt lonely in London? Not a very long time ago (couple of months) and due to the nature of my work which is working from home all day, I felt that I’ve been isolating myself from the outside world and I am maybe missing out on some fun times. When do you normally feel lonely? When I am not enjoying my work and I’m distracted by thoughts. Some of those thoughts are related to good memories or lack thereof, and that’s when I feel most lonely. How does the sense of loneliness affect you physically and mentally? How do you deal with loneliness? It affects me mentally first, I feel a bit depressed. And this translates to a physical discomfort/ contraction but not always. What’s the loneliest thing from your points of view? Not being motivated when at work. If someone is deciding to move to London alone for the first time whatadvice would you give to them in terms of adapting to the new environment? Stay with someone you know or somewhere with lots of people your age and only move to London if you are planning to do something specific that you are excited about.

(BBC Loneliness Experiment)

LONELINESS AMONG MIGRANTS IN LONDON

Years i n London : 3.5

Age: 28

Nationality: G reek

GEORGE It affects me mentally first, I feel a bit depressed. And this translates to a physical discomfort/ contraction but not always.

LONELINESS AMONG MIGRANTS IN LONDON

Years i n London : 4

Age: 27

Nationality: Malaysian

VINCE I feel lonley when something triggers me, it could be a movie, a scene or an action.

Can you describe your personality? In a broad way, I am very outgoing and outspoken. But I act differently when I am at home. What kind of accommodation do you live in London? And how many people do you live with? I am currently renting a house and living with one of my flatmate, she comes from the same hometown as I do. Is this your first time living in London? For how many years so far? Did you find it difficult to fit in at the beginning? It is my first time and it last for 4 years now, this is my 5th year in London. It was very difficult in terms of language; it is still difficultnow in terms of culture. For instance, as an Asian, the perspective of looking at things sometimes are different, nothing wrong or right. It is just different. Do you feel more grounded after 4 years in London? No, never. London is just a furious growing speed city. I hardly say I will feel grounded in near 5 years. Do you sometimes feel depressed because you miss your social circle back to your hometown? I won’t feel depressed because I miss my social circle back in my hometown. The feeling is more about reminiscing rather than depressing. In which places have you felt lonelier, your hometown or where you live now? Hometown. Because London has helped me to grow and to learn new things. I usually miss London easilywhen I go back to my hometown. Do you think London is a lonely city? I think speed makes London a lonely city, the living pace in 22

London is hard to allow people has the time to pay attention to the surrounding, this is the norm. But the worst I think nowadays people don’t even have the time for themselves, that’s the main bit I feel London is a lonely city itself from the personal perspective and it has effects the urban fabric where caused by the society clock. According to you, what causes loneliness in London? Please put 3 causes in an order of significance. Why in this order? Partner, Family & Desires (Partner for life, Family for love and Desires for fix) Tell us about the first time when you felt lonely in London? I was still a student, missing home on the bus during the way to my part-time Chinese restaurant job. When do you normally feel lonely? I feel lonley when something triggers me, it could be a movie, a scene or an action. How does the sense of loneliness affect you physically and mentally? How do you deal with loneliness? Nothing physically. Loneliness might lead me to break it instead of letting this loneliness continue to stay in my mind. This might be an action (physically). What’s the loneliest thing from your points of view? You are not seeing yourself. If someone is deciding to move to London alone for the first time whatadvice would you give to them in terms of adapting to the new environment? Be brave! Go for it and live for it if you want to getsomething out of this city. Loneliness just part of it, there is so much more to discover.

dating

(BBC Loneliness Experiment)

LONELINESS AMONG MIGRANTS IN LONDON

Years i n London : 4

Age: 27

Nationality: Malaysian

VINCE I feel lonley when something triggers me, it could be a movie, a scene or an action.