From the article: > These findings suggest that simply spending time with others (vs. alone) is not associated with a reduced burden of loneliness and may even

From the article: > These findings suggest that simply spending time with others (vs. alone) is not associated with a reduced burden of loneliness and may even backfire. As a member ranking pretty low on the socialization needs scale, I would suggest that the regular barrage of "you need a social life / people in your life at the end of your life" media isn't actually balanced with "learn how to be happy by yourself, and with yourself" counterparts. But I will concede this: I'm pretty happy being by myself most of the time. I miss my son when he's gone but I look forward to using my solo time fruitfully (if even that means vegging on the couch binging something). But what can feel distressing, and loneliness inducing, for me is when I get the urge to be social and can't drum it up. It sometimes feels like the urge to be gregarious arrives inversely proportional to its opportunities... the few people in your life just aren't available, and sometimes you visit a coffee shop or a grocery store and no one will make eye contact with you, and sometimes you try and run a few quick errands in peace and everyone seems out to chat with you. I've learned to experience each with grace, but neither flow really changes what I usually need, and how much of it.