People who enjoy being alone are often viewed as not liking people or being introverted. However, new studies suggest another reason: awe. The study shows that “people who experience awe on a regular basis or who tap into that emotion more readily might just be the folks to naturally enjoy solitude.” The reason, according to the authors, is “because self-transcendence provides a deep sense of connectedness—usually with an entity larger than people themselves, such as culture, humanity, or all of existence.” The authors recommend that people indulge in a daily dose of awe that may help them enjoy time alone. “When you can just enjoy a peaceful time alone to speak to yourself and connect yourself to the greater world, it can be as important as time spent with others. It might be worth embracing rather than avoiding.”
