Psychology says people who don't fear being alone often develop these 8 forms of confidence - Silicon Canals

"Ever since I moved to Southeast Asia alone in my late twenties, I've noticed something interesting about solitude. While my friends back home were constantly filling their calendars with social events, dreading any moment of being alone, I was discovering that those quiet moments by myself were actually transforming me."

"There's this misconception that confident people are always the life of the party, surrounded by others. But after years of observing people and diving into psychology research, I've learned that those who genuinely embrace solitude often develop forms of confidence that socially dependent people rarely achieve."

"Do you constantly seek approval from others before making decisions? I used to be that guy. In my mid-twenties, despite doing everything "right" by conventional standards, I felt lost because I was always looking outside myself for validation. People who don't fear being alone develop an internal compass that doesn't need constant external calibration. They make decisions based on their own values and judgments, not on what might impress others or gain likes on social media. This isn't about becoming arrogant or dismissive of feedback. It's about trusting your own judgment first and treating external opinions as data points rather than directives. When you're comfortable being alone, you naturally develop this self-validation because there's literally no one else around to approve or disapprove of your choices."

Solitude cultivates distinct forms of confidence that differ from socially driven validation. People who are comfortable alone develop an internal compass and self-validation, making choices aligned with personal values rather than seeking approval. Emotional independence grows from managing feelings without relying on others for reassurance. Comfort with being alone reduces anxiety about solitude and diminishes compulsive social-checking behaviors. Treating external opinions as data rather than directives supports clearer judgment and decision-making. Mastery of solitude results in durable confidence that does not depend on social presence or constant external reinforcement.

Read at Silicon Canals