Although you might feel absolutely lonely if you suffer from social isolation, these two phenomena are not exactly the same thing. Social isolation is a situation you might be faced with if you cut yourself off from your community or choose a lifestyle that means contact with others is highly infrequent or fleeting. It can also occur when others deliberately make you feel isolated – a form of bullying or icing you out. However, social isolation does not necessarily mean you will feel lonely. Many people are, in fact, content to make the choice of living a solitary existence and find that it brings them more happiness. However, if the emotions associated with being lonely are felt, then this is considered to be loneliness.