In this episode I am being more open than I have ever been. I am talking about the lonely chapter I am currently in, why I stopped looking for love, what happened when I did, and the real reason so many of us feel lonely that has nothing to do with not having a partner. Leana gets into: Why she was lowering her standards and talking to people she knew were wrong for her The moment she realized she was using relationships to escape things she had not dealt with herself Why you can feel completely alone sleeping next to someone you love What Gary Brecka told her about isolation that changed how she thinks about loneliness The connection between loneliness and not living your purpose yet Why she went against her parents to pursue social media and what that cost her Her three-year hijab journey and why she still does not feel fully confident in it Why she stopped needing to explain herself to people who will never understand "If I feel lonely, I am not locking into my purpose enough." - Leana Deeb TOPICS DISCUSSED (0:00) Intro + Why I’m Sharing This Now (3:12) Pressure to Get Married + Have Kids (5:07) Forcing Love + Ignoring Red Flags (8:04) Escaping Yourself vs Building Yourself (11:21) Self-Respect + Not Settling (15:30) Money, Power + Relationship Dynamics (19:56) The “Lonely Chapter” + Attraction Shift (24:30) Family, Culture + Expectations on Women (28:45) Love, Validation + Empty Relationships (32:39) Struggling with Modesty + Faith (35:42) Hijab Journey + Online Criticism (37:58) Austin vs Dallas Energy + Identity (39:19) Going Against Family + Choosing Your Path (40:00) Final Thoughts + Trusting Timing _____ Stay connected with Leana Deeb: Instagram: @leanadeebb / @beinghumannpod TikTok: @leanadeeb / @beinghumannpod Thank you to our Sponsors! Use code BEINGHUMAN for 20% off at curehydration.com — or find it on Amazon.  Leana Deeb, Being Human podcast, Being Human with Leana Deeb, lonely chapter, lowering your standards, societal pressure on women, hijab journey, trusting God's timing, finding your purpose, women and relationships Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices