Why Some People Genuinely Prefer Their Own Company

Why do some people genuinely prefer their own company, and is it really a sign that something is wrong? In this video we break down the psychology of chosen solitude: how time alone affects our emotions, why the reason behind your solitude matters more than the solitude itself, and four laws for telling healthy alone time apart from hiding. We cover: The difference between forced isolation and chosen solitude What time alone does to high-intensity emotions The "volume knob" model of social energy Four laws of healthy solitude (one of them stings) Why many people struggle to sit with their own thoughts Four costed steps you can try this week Research mentioned: Nguyen, Ryan & Deci (2018), Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, "Solitude as an approach to affective self-regulation" Nguyen, Weinstein & Ryan (2022), PLOS ONE, "Who enjoys solitude?" Wilson et al. (2014), Science, "Just think: The challenges of the disengaged mind" Educational disclaimer: This video is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not medical, psychological, or professional advice. The patterns described are generally true across research but not universally true for every person. If you feel persistently lonely or distressed, consider talking with a qualified professional or someone you trust. If you enjoy understanding why people think and act the way they do, consider subscribing. New videos every day.