"For years, I thought something was wrong with me. While everyone else seemed energized by back-to-back social events, I'd feel drained just thinking about them. The pressure to be "fun" and "spontaneous" felt like wearing shoes two sizes too small. But here's what I've learned after diving deep into the psychology research: Choosing solitude over forced socializing isn't a weakness or a character flaw. In fact, psychologists have identified it as a sign of several rare personality strengths that most people never develop."
"I discovered this firsthand after being laid off during media industry cuts in my late twenties. Those four months of freelancing forced me into more solitude than I'd ever experienced. At first, it was terrifying. But slowly, I started understanding myself in ways I never had before. Why certain situations drained me. Why I needed specific conditions to do my best work. Why forcing myself to be "on" all weekend left me exhausted by Monday."
Choosing solitude over compelled socializing reflects psychological strengths rather than a flaw. Individuals who prefer quiet time often exhibit high self-awareness and clearer knowledge of their needs, limits, and values. Extended periods alone can reveal why certain situations cause depletion and which conditions support optimal work. Solitude helps people recognize that forcing sociability drains energy and contributes to weekday exhaustion. Psychologists link active preference for solitude with components of emotional intelligence and durable personal boundaries. Solitude provides space for reflection, reduces reliance on constant external stimulation, and supports better decision making about social commitments.
Read at Silicon Canals
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