There are lots of people in this world who would rather be alone than with a big group of people. Big friend groups and very little actual alone time is just not some people’s cup of tea, and that’s okay. There are also some people who can’t handle being alone. 

Some people’s entire identity lies in their relationships with the people they love and feeling needed by others. 

Really, everyone needs a healthy balance between time alone and time spent socializing with other people. Too much alone time isn’t good, as it can distort your self perception, leading people to become overly harsh and oblivious to how they come across. 

However, too much time around other people isn’t good either. It can cause you to lose your own thoughts since you’re spending so much time thinking about other people you’re around and their thoughts, so you lose your own originality. Too much time around others can cause you to develop a fear of being alone.

People at an imbalance in this context all need to learn the difference between being alone and being lonely. Just because you’re by yourself doesn’t mean that others don’t need you, and just because you find comfort in your own company doesn’t mean that you won’t find enjoyment in another person’s as well. 

Socialization at a moderate amount is amazing for cognitive development and mood, as it engages the mind to fight off cognitive decline and reduces feelings of loneliness, isolation, and anxiety. Not only does it reduce mental problems, but it can also reduce physical and hormonal problems and improve one’s mindset drastically. 

Spending time alone additionally allows you to spend time getting to know yourself and to know who you are since your existence in that time does not revolve around other people. It gives your brain time to reset and relax with minimal stimulation, allowing your brain to be more creative and independent. 

Neither extreme leads to anything good. Both can cause severe mental health issues and various harmful mentalities. 

Although alone time can feel more like you’re being isolated from people, it’s important that you try and enjoy your time on your own to prevent problems. Some things you can do to avoid feeling lonely when you’re alone are going outside, finding a hobby that you enjoy to take up time, and try and avoid harmful online spaces on social media.