Differences between "feeling alone" and "isolating yourself socially"

There is a clear distinction between both concepts. When a person is negatively affected by loneliness (that is, feeling lonely), he or she thinks it through the discrepancy between different levels of social interaction that are necessary and expected, while a person who is positively affected by loneliness (ie, who chooses to isolate himself socially by taking charge of his decision) is simply thought of as a lack of contact with people.

This leads to the premise that loneliness is, therefore, a subjective experience; If a person thinks he is alone, then he is alone. People can feel lonely while they are alone or in the middle of a crowd. What makes a person feel lonely is the fact that they need more social interaction or a certain type of social interaction that is not currently available. A person can be in the middle of a party and feel alone for not talking to enough people. Conversely, one can be alone and not feel alone; Although there is no one around, you are not alone because there is no desire for social interaction. It has also been suggested that each person has their own optimal level of social interaction. If a person has too little or too much social interaction, this could lead to feelings of loneliness or overstimulation.8From transient loneliness to chronic lonelinessAnother important typology of loneliness is that centered on the perspective of time.9 In this sense, loneliness can be seen as transitory (as part of an expected state of mind) or chronic (as a personality trait).

Transient loneliness (as a state of mind) is temporary in nature, caused by something in the environment and easily relieved. Chronic loneliness (as a trait) is more permanent, caused by the person and is not easily relieved.10 For example, when a person is ill and can not socialize with friends, it would be a case of transient loneliness. Once the person improves, it would be easy for them to alleviate their loneliness. On the other hand, that person who feels lonely regardless of whether he is at a family reunion, with friends or alone; No matter what happens in the environment, the experience of loneliness is always there.Positive feeling of lonelinessA person who is experiencing a temporary positive solitude in the contemplation of a landscape of nature.Loneliness can have positive effects on individuals. One study revealed that although time spent alone tended to depress a person's mood and increase feelings of loneliness, it also helped improve their cognitive status, such as improving concentration. In addition, once the time had ended, the moods of people tended to increase significantly.11 Loneliness is also associated with other experiences of positive growth, religious experiences and identity construction, such as the solitary missions used in the rites of passage for adolescents.12Likewise, loneliness can also play an important role in the creative process. In some people, temporary or prolonged loneliness can lead to a notable artistic and creative expression, for example, as was the case of poets Emily Dickinson and Isabella di Morra, in addition to numerous musicians. [Who?] This does not imply that loneliness itself ensures this creativity, but it can influence the artist and is more likely to be present in people engaged in creative activities. [citation needed]

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