The New York Times: Why You Should Find Time to Be Alone With Yourself

Why You Should Find Time to Be Alone With Yourself
Don't confuse loneliness with time by yourself.

Read in The New York Times: https://apple.news/ATrMK-q0_RkW4d3jzps4J4A

"Historically, solitude has had a pretty bad rap" because it is sometimes used as a form of punishment, said Robert Coplan, a developmental psychologist and professor of psychology at Carleton University.

The problem is that we forget solitude can also be a choice — and it doesn't have to be full time. Because there is so much research demonstrating that humans are social creatures who benefit from interacting with others, "people will try to dismiss that it's also important to spend time alone," he said. "It's hard for them to imagine that you can have both."

"Some people make their solitude experience entirely about other people," Dr. Nguyen added. Research has shown that people often feel inhibited from enjoying activities alone, especially when they think others are watching them. Overestimating how much other people are paying attention to us, and worrying that we're being judged, can stop us from doing things that would otherwise bring us joy."

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