Solitude: The Science and Power of Being Alone

This extraordinary book came at exactly the right time for me. After a major life event, I threw myself into meeting new people and finding new activities, to the extent that I became "over-peopled." SOLITUDE: THE SCIENCE AND POWER OF BEING ALONE, brought me up short with its synthesis of emotional intelligence and well researched proof of the power of balancing time alone and time with others.

The data are in and they are beautifully written besides: Not only is alone time OK but it's to one's great benefit, as well as to the benefit of those around the person who takes time off to be with oneself. When I was a young mom, for example, I could have benefited from the authors' wise words. Now a middle-aged person, I reflect this book's overall message and commend it to anyone who either scoffs at the need to be alone or who worries that being alone is somehow not OK or even harmful. I also appreciate in "Solitude" that it ultimately is woman-centered; "we" need reminding that "we" don't need to be the life of the party and, if "we" are, stepping away from serving everyone and keeping everyone happy so that "we" can recharge on our own and in the company only of "our" own thoughts is very good for everyone in "our" orbit. I'll add, per my "deeply reported" 'headline' here, that everything in between this book's covers is based on authors' personal anecdotes; those of many folks of various ages around the world; the parsing of peer-reviewed study after study; and reporting from numerous books that previously had touched on an aspect of the topic of solitude. In other words, this books is a compendium of so very much that's already out there; this work puts it all in one incredibly well-organized and easy to follow spot.

Just started reading and so far, I like it. But getting old is tough. These eyes are not what they use to be and i struggle with the small size of the font. It seems too small and dainty (to me) and doesn't lend itself well to a long read. I mean, there seems to be ample room on the page for a larger and bolder font? But unfortunately (for ME) the publisher went with a little'bitty one. But, hey, if ur in ur twenties, and have 20/20 vision u might evn like the small font size? jst thought i'd mention it FOR THE REST OF US :)

WHY THIS BOOK MATTERS Solitude delivers what most self-help books promise but never achieve: a scientifically grounded roadmap for becoming your best self. This is the definitive work on alone time as a practice, not a punishment. The genius lies in its evidence. Weinstein, Hansen, and Nguyen prove that one-third of our waking life spent alone is not wasted time but the essential crucible for growth. They demonstrate how solitude builds resilience, sharpens creativity, and deepens relationships by strengthening our relationship with ourselves first. This book matters because it validates what great leaders have always known: that character is forged in the quiet hours. Whether you are on the Blackfoot River, in your study, or walking alone at dawn, this work gives you permission and method to transform isolation into elevation. Stop apologizing for needing space. Start mastering it. This is not theory. This is how legends are built.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

I deeply enjoyed this book. It's a topic I knew I was interested in, as I often read psychology-related books, but I was amazed at how much I learned. The book covers many aspects of solitude that I never would have even considered. It really added value to my life and gave me a new perspective on the topic. It's well researched, in-depth, and an easy and engaging read. It's important for us to recognize the benefits of all kinds of solitude, and this gave me the language to help open up a whole new level of understanding. Definitely recommended!

I love this book! It helps me not feel so weird for preferring my alone time, and shows that the only reason I feel weird for it is centuries of societal conditioning

This book does a wonderful job of making accessible, and making sense, of numerous studies on solitude and related topics. I particularly enjoyed the authors' personal stories infused throughout the book to bring life to those topics, as well as Chapter 7 on nature and solitude, which examines both the religious and spiritual power of being in nature and our relationship to it.

Helpful and easily relatable. Glad I ordered it.

I really wanted to like this but this slim volume of anecdotes was hard to get through. With over forty eight pages of footnotes/references it is a collection of soundbytes of people who have been interviewed by the researchers... "Kam age thirty-seven solitude is kind of a peace" and this continues, Jane from England likes to go for walks. This is an example of researchers falling in love with their project and forgot to write for their audience. Excellent topic but not executed for an audience. It reads as someone's thesis. Sorry.

There's a lot of emphasis on loneliness in aging being the next health epidemic, but I think not very helpful when so many people living on their own are being told they'll die early from something they can't help! Awareness that there will likely be increased "solitude" (as friends, partners die off, and children live their own lives) might be a more enabling way of preparing people. As someone who enjoys the freedom of single living, and the opportunity to fill it with interests (and people when I need to), I do not feel less healthy. In fact, I feel blessed when I see friends struggling to care for their sick partners. My own parents lives were not made healthier by living together as invalid and care giver. That's not to dismiss people who feel chronic loneliness/isolation. I appreciate that is an awful state. But interestingly "Those who expected to get lonely as they get older were 28% more likely to be to have a negative experience of ageing than those who didn’t expect to get lonely... It’s notable that we find 40% of 60–69-year olds and 39% of 70–79-year-olds expecting to get lonelier as they get older. But recent data from the Office for National Statistics shows that only 2.7% of 65–74-year-olds and 3% of the over-75s actually reported feeling lonely often or always. This suggests that the narrative of the lonely older person has become widely accepted even by older people themselves, an example perhaps of the effects of negative stereotyping and internalised ageism. It shows that it’s important for people to have a more realistic view of what later life may bring in order to allay unfounded pessimism" - Stats/quote from: English Longitudinal Study of Aging/ "Age is just a number" report, Centre for Aging Better, 2018

A really accessible read that points the way to finding peace and regulation through your own brand of solitude.

I am a Dad, husband, entrepreneur and extrovert. All of these things combine to create a busy life in which I am rarely alone. This book simultaneously provides both reassurance that the desire for time alone is not a failure and a welcome reminder to slow down in order to get the best of life. The authors write in a very accessible way and I enjoyed the book. Recommended.

This research and book has helped reshape my view on time being alone. As an extrovert I crave being with others. However there are times that I love to be on my own. This book has given me skills and insight to these moments of solitude. It’s timely and brilliant. Well worth the read.