Misunderstandings & the Benefits of Solitude

What are the possible unexpected benefits that can come from living in solitude and seeking seclusion?

Some people will avoid solitude at all costs. In fact, I would say most are terrified of it. This avoidance often comes in the form of distraction. Distractions such as engaging in small talk, banter, and any form of socializing, usually in a shallow sense.

People also seek distraction from substance abuse, food, and generally any form of consumption and impulsive pleasure-seeking. 

Reasons why some avoid solitude?

Society tells people that they should be constantly socializing, laughing, joking, and talking nonsense. This behaviour is promoted as good in society. While a more reserved solitary existence is considered bad and lowers our social status. This is societal programming which people simply follow.

Many people will have friends that are not true friends, but rather friendships that develop due to convenience. They aim to meet those societal standards, therefore avoiding the negative judgements of the majority.  

Being in solitude encourages inner-reflection. This is harder for those that have not lived moral lives. This is because their inner reflection causes them to face themselves, and they may not like what they see staring back at them.

Benefits of Solitude

Not seeking approval and validation from the majority. Instead, they are free to seek validation from better quality individuals and sources.

It gives you time to think and focus on who you really are, and what you want out of life without all the external noise and distractions.

A 2023 study in the Journal of Personality found that individuals who spent 15-30 minutes daily in intentional solitude reported higher levels of self-awareness and emotional regulation, with 68% noting improved decision-making over six months.

Solitude can reduce stress and improve mental health. Being alone allows the brain to disengage from social pressures, lowering cortisol levels. A 2024 study by the American Psychological Association showed that participants who spent an hour in solitude three times a week experienced a 22% reduction in anxiety symptoms compared to a control group.

Solitude boosts creativity and productivity. Without distractions, individuals can focus deeply on tasks or generate new ideas. Research from the Creativity Research Journal (2024) found that people who spent 20 minutes in solitude before brainstorming produced 35% more novel ideas than those in group settings. Solitude is perfect for allowing creativity to flourish. Most creative people, such as writers and designers, do most of their creative process in long periods of solitude.

Living alone teaches self-reliance and fosters a sense of confidence in managing life’s challenges on your own terms.

Solitude potentially allows people to focus on productive tasks, to learn skills, and general self-improvement.

Big Five Traits & Solitude

Those with a combination of certain personality traits are more likely to seek and benefit from solitude.

The most obvious one is being low in extroversion, aka introversion. Introverts will often crave and thrive in solitude.

Low agreeableness makes someone less cooperative and more competitive. They also tend to focus on their needs rather than the needs of others. They also tilt more towards an interest in things vs people.

High openness people are usually more creative, and creativity requires solitude to truly thrive.

Those high in conscientiousness, particularly the orderliness/disgust aspect, may seek alone time because they find others messy, disorderly, and generally disgusting.

High neuroticism people are more likely to suffer from social anxiety and may in part isolate for that reason.

Downsides of too much solitude

Excessive solitude, especially if involuntary, can lead to loneliness, which is linked to depression and cognitive decline. The same APA study noted that those with low trait agreeableness might struggle more with prolonged isolation, as they may not seek social support when needed.

Too much solitude may result in the worsening of social skills, reducing the ability to make connections with others. This may also lead to unwanted isolation for some.

Final Comments

Society pushes certain beliefs on people, such as valuing shallow and superficial interactions with others. These interactions tend to be overvalued. Solitude itself can have many benefits. However, it does come with downsides, such as a diminished ability to connect with others.

How much solitude is right for someone also depends on their genetic personality traits. Some may be able to handle and thrive with long periods of solitude. However, it could cause mental health issues for others. A mix of genetic and social factors should be considered.