Luckily for us, solitude will always be a choice, not an existence. It’s true that humans are born to be social. But when we find strength — rather than fear — in solitude, we will live far richer lives: with others, and with ourselves.

We’re scared of where boredom will take us. We want to be entertained, constantly. The alternative,  introspection , intimidate us. And so, we drown out our discomfort with distractions.

Technologies connecting us are actually isolating us. From the telegram to the phone to the mobile to the internet, all major cultural inventions have served the purpose of bringing us closer together. And yet, today, in a work hyper-connected, statistics report that we’ve never felt so lonely. 

• Loneliness is being alone — and not liking it. It’s a feeling.
• Solitude is being alone — and content. It’s a choice.