Hanging out with your friends and family is great and all, but for many of us, there’s nothing better than coming home to an empty house and doing our own thing without interruption. If this sounds like you, you’re hardly the odd one out. In fact, people who prefer being alone tend to have certain personality traits that make solo time much more attractive than hanging with the crowd. Here are a few of the most common that you’ll probably recognize in yourself.
1. They’re open-minded.
According to a research paper titled “Settling for less out of fear of being single,” author Stephanie S. Spielmann and her colleagues developed a “Fear of Being Single” scale in which they looked at different personality traits of those who genuinely enjoyed being on their own rather than freaking out about it. Open-mindedness was a top quality of those who relished solo time, and it makes a lot of sense. After all, people who spend time without other people have a lot more hours to fill, meaning they’ll obviously want to think creatively about how to fill them. As a result, they end up being more likely to be willing to think outside the box.
2. They’re more agreeable than most.
As part of the above study, researchers noted that those who relished their single status also tended to be a lot more down-to-earth and amenable. The exact reason for this isn’t clear, but it could be that they’re more at peace in life in general, which leads them to feel less argumentative or uptight. Either way, they’re more laid-back and happy to go with the flow in general than their single-averse counterparts.
3. They’re resourceful.
When you spend a lot of time alone, sometimes you have to get a bit creative when it comes to solving problems. People who prefer being on their own are natural problem-solvers, facing all their challenges head-on and figuring out new and effective ways of fixing what’s broken, literally or figuratively. This is something we could all learn from!
4. They’re not afraid to be single.
This is an obvious one and probably should have been further up on the list. While many people are terrified to not be in a relationship, people who love being alone see being single as an opportunity to learn and grow as individuals outside the context of their romantic lives. They don’t freak out when there are no active dating prospects. They have plenty of other things to focus their time and energy on in the meantime.
5. They’re conscientious.
This is one of the best personality traits of those who prefer being alone. They tend to be much more cerebral and thoughtful, which translates into being more considerate of other people. Those who have no connection to their deeper selves tend to avoid self-reflection. As a result, they’re less empathetic and less likely to consider other people’s perspective. In other words, all my solo riders out there are pretty great people to have in your corner.
6. They’re less sociable than others.
It goes without saying that people who prefer being alone are less sociable than those who like being around people all the time. However, this doesn’t mean they’re necessarily more introverted — they just don’t feel the need to be the life of the party all the time. They’re cool with hanging out on their own and then meeting up with some friends every now and then. They don’t freak out when they’re left with their own thoughts.
7. They have high standards.
People who prefer being alone are never tempted to accept less than they deserve out of fear of being left on their own if they don’t. Because they actually prefer it that way, they’re able to uphold a lot higher standards and demand the respect and treatment they deserve from the people they allow into their lives. Can’t abide by that? You can definitely go.
8. They’re self-aware.
Spending all that time with just “me, myself, and I” means having a lot of time to think. You very quickly get in touch with yourself and your deepest thoughts and feelings. As a result, you develop a sense of self-awareness that’s rare but refreshing. This carries over into all of your interactions in life, making them much more meaningful and less toxic. If only everyone could be on the same wavelength.
9. They’re comfortable in their own skin.
This takes WORK, let me tell you! Sure, you can learn to enjoy your own company, but how many people can truly say that they love themselves inside and out? Not a lot. However, people who prefer to be alone have a really special relationship with themselves. It’s not that they think they’re perfect (they know they’re not) or that they don’t have work to do (they definitely do); it’s just that they accept and embrace themselves just as they are.
10. They don’t need validation from anyone.
Why would they? They’re the masters of their own lives and know that there’s no one to impress but themselves. While it’s nice for everyone to hear compliments and praise in life, they don’t rely on it to feel confident and secure in who they are and what they stand for. This serves them well in pretty much every area of life, making them feel far less insecure.
11. They’re self-sufficient and independent.
Obviously people who prefer being alone are well-versed in meeting their own needs. They know how to cook for themselves, look after their house, entertain themselves, etc. It’s not that they don’t know how to accept help or that they’re stubbornly standoffish, it’s just that they love not relying on anyone else to meet their needs. They’ve got this down, thanks.
12. They’re more creative.
Spending time on their own gives them an opportunity to get in touch with their preferred form of creative expression. This can be anything from reading, writing, painting, sculpting, cooking… the list goes on and on. Maybe they have multiple practices that help them feel fulfilled and at peace. Whatever their outlet, they relish it completely.
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