Some decisions feel lonely because self-respect occasionally travels ahead of company.

Moving toward a better standard usually means moving before the people around you are ready to move. You stop drinking, or stop tolerating something, or start taking your work seriously, and for a while you are out ahead with no company. The loneliness is not a sign of error. It is the ordinary shape of being early to your own change.

Expect a period where the decision has no support and plan for it rather than being surprised. Find one person or one written reason to hold onto during the gap. Give it time, because company often catches up, and some of the people who did not understand at first end up following.