InnerSelf's Daily Inspiration
January 17, 2026
The Pathway to Integrated Living
— Daily reminders for a conscious, connected life —
In our hyperconnected world, we're rarely alone with our own thoughts. Even when physically by ourselves, we're scrolling, streaming, messaging—constantly tethered to the noise of the world. We've come to fear the quiet, mistaking solitude for loneliness. But what if time alone isn't something to escape from, but something to embrace? What if those moments of stillness could actually reset your nervous system and reconnect you with yourself?
The focus for today is:
I don't want to run away from the world—I want to rediscover myself within it. I want to know what happens if we again take doses of solitude from inside our crowded days, along our crowded streets.
Today's message is inspired by Thuy-vy Nguyen, author of the article featured in Solitude: In Pursuit of a Singular Life in a Crowded World
Through experimental research, Nguyen and her colleagues discovered what they call the "deactivation effect"—time spent alone consistently lowers high-arousal emotions, both positive (excitement, energy) and negative (anger, anxiety), helping us feel calmer. The key is motivation: those who embrace and value solitude experience increased relaxation and calm, while those who resist it feel sadder and lonelier. Complete solitude—without scrolling or reading—offers the greatest opportunity for self-reflection, allowing us to attend to our thoughts and feelings. Surprisingly, this capacity to benefit from solitude isn't about being introverted or extroverted; it's about "dispositional autonomy"—the ability to self-regulate your emotions and choose how you engage with your experiences. When we actively avoid solitude, we increase the chance we'll find it unpleasant. But when we seize the opportunity for relaxation and reflection that solitude offers, we reap real benefits.
CONTINUE READING the complete article here:
The Benefits of Embracing Solitude in Daily Life
Author: Thuy-vy Nguyen
A Reminder:
I don't want to run away from the world—I want to rediscover myself within it. I want to know what happens if we again take doses of solitude from inside our crowded days, along our crowded streets.
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RELATED BOOK: Solitude: In Pursuit of a Singular Life in a Crowded World
This book explores the lost art of solitude in modern society and how we can rediscover ourselves within the crowded world we inhabit. It examines how taking doses of solitude from inside our busy days can enhance our wellbeing and sense of self.
Important: Use the book purchase link from the InnerSelf article page — not a generic Amazon or publisher link — to ensure affiliate credit and proper tracking.
For more info and/or to order this book, click here.
About the Author
Thuy-vy Nguyen is an assistant professor in psychology at Durham University in the UK. Her research focuses on the psychological benefits of solitude and how people can better regulate their emotions through time spent alone.
Author's website: www.durham.ac.uk
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