Solitude in a Social World

Parenting

What Moms Really Want for Mother’s Day

Virginia Thomas Ph.D. on May 3, 2025

The gender leisure gap reveals that women have scant free time, and mothers are even more deprived. Taking “me-time” on Mother’s Day may be the perfect gift.

The gender leisure gap reveals that women have scant free time, and mothers are even more deprived. Taking “me-time” on Mother’s Day may be the perfect gift.

Introversion

Not All Introverts Are Happy Hermits

Virginia Thomas Ph.D. on February 18, 2025

Are you a Thinking Introvert or Anxious Introvert? Low-functioning or high? These differences matter when it comes to whether or not introverts enjoy solitude.

Are you a Thinking Introvert or Anxious Introvert? Low-functioning or high? These differences matter when it comes to whether or not introverts enjoy solitude.

Relationships

Feeling Angry? You Might Be Missing Time to Yourself

Virginia Thomas Ph.D. on November 1, 2024

Research on the surprising consequences of a lack of me-time.

Research on the surprising consequences of a lack of me-time.

Highly Sensitive Person

3 Reasons Highly Sensitive People Need More Time Alone

Virginia Thomas Ph.D. on October 26, 2024

A high capacity for empathy and deep cognitive processing can create a state of overstimulation for highly sensitive people. When that happens, solitude becomes a valuable respite.

A high capacity for empathy and deep cognitive processing can create a state of overstimulation for highly sensitive people. When that happens, solitude becomes a valuable respite.

Loneliness

Is Your Solitude Authentic?

Virginia Thomas Ph.D. on March 30, 2022

Authentic solitude is strikingly different from what researchers call “pseudo-solitude,” and this difference matters for our psychological health.

Authentic solitude is strikingly different from what researchers call “pseudo-solitude,” and this difference matters for our psychological health.

Environment

Why Being (Alone) in Nature Is Good for You

Virginia Thomas Ph.D. on March 23, 2022

Feeling burnt out? New research explains why you need to "de-tether" from the digital world and seek out Mother Nature.

Feeling burnt out? New research explains why you need to "de-tether" from the digital world and seek out Mother Nature.

Relationships

8 Ways to Embrace Solitude

Virginia Thomas Ph.D. on February 3, 2022

New research pinpoints the skills people use to benefit from time alone.

New research pinpoints the skills people use to benefit from time alone.

Loneliness

Are You Lonely… or Alonely?

Virginia Thomas Ph.D. on February 12, 2021

How to know if you’re not spending enough time alone, and what to do about it.

How to know if you’re not spending enough time alone, and what to do about it.

Appetite

The Hunger for Solitude During a Lockdown

Virginia Thomas Ph.D. on April 26, 2020

Yes, that’s right. Some of us are stuck at home, longing for solitude.

Yes, that’s right. Some of us are stuck at home, longing for solitude.

Anxiety

Solitude as Medicine

Virginia Thomas Ph.D. on September 12, 2019

It turns out that one of solitude’s functions is to calm the nervous system, but our mood usually takes a hit along the way.

It turns out that one of solitude’s functions is to calm the nervous system, but our mood usually takes a hit along the way.

Media

Does Solitude “Count” if You’re on Your Phone?

Virginia Thomas Ph.D. on August 8, 2019

Take yourself out on a date... but leave your phone behind.

Take yourself out on a date... but leave your phone behind.

Identity

4 Reasons Your Teenager Wants to (and Needs to) Be Alone

Virginia Thomas Ph.D. on July 1, 2019

Science shows that moving toward solitude is a normal part of the adolescent journey.

Science shows that moving toward solitude is a normal part of the adolescent journey.