How to Be Alone
By Sara Maitland
Picador, 2014.
Summary of How to Be Alone book by Sara Maitland
A reflection on why society stigmatizes solitude and how this is damaging our ability to be with ourselves, including practical guidance on how to overcome the fear of being alone and proof that there is joy to be found in spending time by yourself.
Chapters in How to Be Alone book summary
What do you get from this book? Powerful reasons why we fear being alone and why we should embrace solitude
Humans have evolved to have a fear of being alone, but current negative perceptions of solitude are misguided
People who spend time alone are judged differently depending on their social status or cultural context
As many inspiring individuals have shown, being alone will boost your creativity, inspiration, and understanding
Spending time alone in nature can change your perspective on life and bring you peace
You can find solitude by overcoming your fear of it and planning periods of dedicated alone time
Cultivating your solo activities can mean pushing yourself physically or embarking on an adventure
Time spent alone can lead to a deeper understanding of spirituality and the transcendent
It’s important to encourage others, especially children, to spend time alone with their imagination
Everyone has a different approach to alone time, so discover your own and respect what others choose to do
Summary of the key insights
Selected critiques in brief
Final word
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How to Be Alone — Book Summary Snapshot
Who should read How to Be Alone book
- people who don’t like being alone
- those coping with the loss of a loved one
About the author of How to Be Alone
Sara Maitland
Sara Maitland lives in a remote location in Scotland and understands being alone physically as well as emotionally. She is an award-winning author of fiction, non-fiction, and Catholic works. After attending Oxford University, she became a tutor at Lancaster University and a writer in residence at Lincoln Cathedral.
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