I posted about solitude a while back and I thought I’d put it out there again because somehow people still get that there is a difference to being alone and being lonely. Here it is below:
I need great periods of solitude to keep me balanced. Just because I enjoy solitude doesn’t mean I’m lonely or that I’m anti-social. I enjoy other peoples company but I do not need the constant company of others. I believe people tend to misunderstand me because of that and tend to ask “don’t you get lonely?” I find myself having to explain that solitude is different than loneliness, especially when it’s self-imposed solitude that one enjoys.
Solitude: The state of being alone
Loneliness: Affected with, characterized by, or causing a depressing feeling of being alone.
I completely agree with you. Solitude is time alone, not loneliness. You can be in the middle of your own party and still feel lonely. Some people get their energy and relax by being with other people. Other people get their energy and relax by being with themselves.
You hit the nail right on the head.
I get this, I need alone time to just “be”, to recharge, but I like company too. I read that this is common for introverts, it doesn’t mean we’re shy, ee just need (and benefit) from periods of solitude.
Yes, exactly.