Are You Any Good at Thinking for Pleasure?

"Fear of loneliness - which goes by a surprising number of names: autophobia, isolophobia, eremophobia, monophobia - is distinct from loneliness itself. It's the sense that no matter where you are (out in public, or within the comfort of your own home), you should take pains to make sure you don't end up alone. After all, that's when the dread begins to pump in: the anxiety, the feelings of inadequacy, the scrutinizing."

"Despite our unwillingness to give it the old college try (a 2021 study confirmed most of us don't know how to turn being alone with our thoughts into a "meaningful and pleasant experience"), solitude is actually a very good idea. According to an article in The Washington Post, "[S]pending time alone for just 15 minutes has a deactivating effect on our mood...it reduces high-energy emotions, both positive and negative, such as anxiety, anger and excitement.""

Fear of being alone (autophobia, isolophobia, eremophobia, monophobia) differs from loneliness and produces a persistent need to avoid solitude. That fear triggers dread, anxiety, feelings of inadequacy, and self-scrutiny whenever alone. Many people automatically distract themselves to avoid introspection, even in private settings. Quiet introspection is difficult, especially when internal prompts are harsh or random. Developing the capacity to "think for pleasure" can transform solitude into a meaningful, pleasant experience. Most people lack that skill. Brief periods alone—about 15 minutes—can deactivate mood and reduce high-energy emotions such as anxiety, anger, and excitement.

Read at InsideHook