The various aspects of loneliness

Running away from it or enjoying it?

Solitude, a mirror with two diametrically opposed facets. That's what emerges from this episode of Streetphilosophy by Arte. On the one hand, imposed loneliness hurts. Whether following a break-up, the death of loved ones or even exile, individuals generally find themselves alone with themselves. A difficult feeling, sometimes seen as a prison since we need social contact.

However, there is also a kind of solitude that we choose. This may be the desire of hermits who have distanced themselves from a society too different from their values, or of thinkers who need to isolate themselves from the world in order to reflect on it. Learning to be alone with oneself seems to be an exercise that is partly necessary for each person in order to better endure these voluntary as well as imposed moments.

In fact, most self-employed people juggle these two facets. They often need to be in their own bubble in order to concentrate and complete their work, but too much isolation makes them easily depressed and, ultimately, unproductive.

Running time: 26min25