Solitude Without Loneliness: Understanding Loneliness in Terms of Psychological Separation

Abstract

The reason why fear of loneliness is not ubiquitous is because loneliness is essentially an experience of “ego-separation.” Ego-separation exists on a continuum. While it may be extreme in some people, some people may experience little or no ego-separation, and so be less prone to loneliness. On the contrary, such people embrace and relish solitude and inactivity, with no distressing effects. I refer to Maslow’s concept of self-actualization and my own research on the state of “wakefulness.” I conclude that positive psychological development should involve a healthy relationship to solitude and inactivity.