Louisa Lopez
Do you really love being alone? Perhaps you enjoy some company but really like to recharge and spend quality time with you?
You might well be an introvert or an ambivert (Ambiverts are those in the middle of the introversion/extroversion spectrum).
See if you resonate with these special personality traits of people who really enjoy their ‘me time’.
Or, if you’re more of a curious extrovert, read on to learn some valuable insights from these interesting people.
1) They like to learn or read a lot
Some people ask, what do people do to entertain themselves when alone? Well, one common trait of people who love solitude is that they are always reading or learning new things.
Maybe they have a deep love of fiction and immerse themselves in the world of literature, bringing alive the characters and worlds created by amazing authors.
They often really love studying and learning new things. Perhaps they watch university lectures or educational videos on YouTube, read non-fiction, or embark on study courses online.
It could also be that they like to do practical things, such as learning a new crafty skill like knitting or upcycling things.
An introverted person is (usually) a curious person. And a curious person is an intelligent person!
2) They are deep thinkers
All that alone time leaves a lot of space for thoughts. And all that learning gives a lot of interesting things to ponder.
Many famous philosophers were introverts, such as Immanuel Kant who wrote about ethics and metaphysics, and the existentialist Søren Kierkegaard. And let’s not forget my personal favorite – Carl Jung – one of the fathers of psychoanalysis.
Other more recent introverted deep thinkers include Susan Cain and Hannah Arendt.
Susan Cain isn’t your typical philosopher, but her work on introversion and solitude has made a significant impact on how we think about being introverted. She’s opened up discussions about the value of spending time alone, and embracing our quieter side.
Then there’s Hannah Arendt, the political theorist. She’s well-known for her writings on totalitarianism and power dynamics, and her ability to tackle complex ideas.
These women aren’t philosophers in the traditional sense, but they’ve left their mark with unique perspectives and influential ideas. It’s pretty inspiring to see how they’ve used alone time to shape the way we think about certain topics. Including alone time!
3) They are creative and imaginative
One of the things that Susan Cain wrote is “Extroverts are more likely to focus on what’s happening around them. It’s as if extroverts are seeing ‘what is,’ while their introverted peers are asking ‘what if.”
Not only does that make them able to be deep thinkers but it also allows them to be more creative.
This is backed up by the work of psychologists Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi and Gregory Feist, who both found that a high percentage of the most creative people are introverts.
Many famous musicians have been inspired by enjoying their time alone.
4) They are music lovers
Some people love the chatter of themselves and others, to while away the time. While those who really love being alone often prefer the melodies and harmonies of amazing music.
Music can be an amazing companion for the introvert who wants to give thinking a rest, (music with words tends to work best for this). Others use music to boost their thinking powers (I prefer music without words for that!)
Leonard Cohen, a famous introvert, was a master of song and poetry. His soul-stirring melodies and poetic lyrics pierced the hearts of millions, revealing the depths of his contemplative and enigmatic spirit.
Fame brought more people into his life, so he would take a few months of the year to go to Mount Baldy Zen Center to enjoy alone time.
And get this – he went all in!
In the latter part of his life, he got ordained as a Buddhist Monk, taking on the name “Jikan,” meaning “Silent One”.
But even amid the quietude of his new monkish existence, he never lost his love for music, and still performed for audiences from time to time.
I’ll never forget when I saw the late Leonard Cohen live at Glastonbury Festival, UK, in his 70s. The gravitas of his presence and his deep voice were very moving. I’d never been attracted to a septuagenarian before then!
5) They are solo adventurers
Just like how Leonard Cohen sought solace in the LA hills of a Buddhist Monastery, people who love alone time often go on exciting adventures by themselves.
They might be found traveling the world or roaming the forests and woods. One of my inspirational adventurers includes the photographer Christine Zenino.
She’s been around the world, including the Arctic, and taken some incredible photos.
Her photos are a delicious blend of imaginative and adventurous. They often depict a sense of the solitary space between worlds – sometimes eerie, but never dull.
An even more intrepid character is Roz Savage. She left her unfulfilling life as a management consultant to become an adventurer. She has rowed solo across various oceans around the world, including the Indian Ocean.
But wait till you hear this.
Throughout her trip on the Indian Ocean, she didn’t see another person for five months, and she didn’t have any outside entertainment. No internet, laptop, tv, or books! Although solitude at this extreme could be hard, eventually she discovered that there are ways to enjoy it.
Although I personally lean towards the extroverted side of an ambivert, I have spent some relatively solitary summers in the windswept isles of Thailand. It’s at these times in my life that I’ve learned a lot about myself, grown as a person, and had great mini adventures with my dogs!
6) They are animal whisperers
Like me, many of the people who spend a lot of time alone have a deep bond with animals. Animals provide a wonderful way to connect with another living being without the distraction of humans.
My bond with my dogs has made me able to really enjoy being alone.
As semi-wild beach dogs, they aren’t truly ‘mine’ anymore than I am ‘theirs’. But we stick together to enjoy walks, and I feed them in the low season, when there are no leftovers from restaurants. In return they make me laugh and help me to maintain my sanity when things get tough.
A famous animal whisperer and hero of mine is Jane Goodall. As an anthropologist, I appreciate her contribution to the study of people, through her studies of our chimpanzee cousins.
Over her decades-long career, Jane has worked tirelessly to protect chimpanzees and their natural habitats. All the while raising awareness about animal welfare and conservation issues around the world.
Her introverted nature and deep connection with animals allowed her to build strong bonds with the chimpanzees she studied. And this benefitted her approach to research and advocacy.
7) They are resourceful and self-sufficient
Remember Roz Savage the solo rower? In this medium article, she quotes John Lubbock:
“The whole value of solitude depends upon one’s self; it may be a sanctuary or a prison, a haven of repose or a place of punishment, a heaven or a hell, as we ourselves make it.”
Roz managed to spend so long in solitude by reframing things and having a positive attitude.
Self-sufficiency means the ability to rely on yourself for emotional well-being, decision-making, and problem-solving.
As we’ve seen, those who love spending time alone, often possess a deep sense of self-awareness. They understand their own needs and preferences.
This introspective nature enables them to make choices that align with their values and passions, even if it means going against the crowd. They’re not afraid to take the road less traveled if it resonates with their inner compass, just like Roz Savage or Christine Zenino.
Resourcefulness is another important trait of those who love being alone. They enjoy the challenge of discovering creative solutions to challenges.
When faced with obstacles, they’re quick to adapt and use the resources at their disposal efficiently – just as Jane Goodall often had to do, whilst alone in the jungles of Tanzania.
The joys of alone time
We’ve explored the intriguing world of people who cherish their alone time. These people show a fascinating blend of self-sufficiency and resourcefulness. They draw strengths from their unique personality traits.
From deep thinkers like Immanuel Kant and Carl Jung, to creative souls like Leonard Cohen and Christine Zenino, they draw inspiration from quiet time to create extraordinary work.
Intrepid adventurers like Roz Savage and Jane Goodall showcase resilience and adaptability in solitude’s embrace.
Through their stories, we can see that being able to love alone time offers opportunities for self-discovery and connection with the world.
Whether you’re an introvert or extrovert, or somewhere in between, embracing moments of solitude can lead to personal growth and the creation of something remarkable.
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