How to Be Alone (The School of Life)

Being alone can be lonely, but in How to Be Alone, Sara Maitland informs us that solitude can be beneficial and that the ability to truly enjoy our "me" time can lead to a more fulfilling life. Though in this day and age the idea of being alone is often surrounded in negativity, solitude does not have to be a bad word. Maitland reaches out to those with fears and anxieties about being alone and reassures them that solitude can be learned and is healthy! Through strategies and exercises Maitland teaches us how to practice being alone while taking into account that solitude is different for everyone. 

Our fast-paced society does not approve of solitude; being alone is antisocial and some even find it sinister. Why is this so when autonomy, personal freedom, and individualism are more highly prized than ever before? In How to Be Alone, Sara Maitland answers this question by exploring changing attitudes throughout history. Offering experiments and strategies for overturning our fear of solitude, she helps us practice it without anxiety and encourages us to see the benefits of spending time by ourselves. By indulging in the experience of being alone, we can be inspired to find our own rewards and ultimately lead more enriched, fuller lives.