Afraid to be alone with your thoughts?

It’s taken some years but friends and family have finally understood that when OH goes away for his passtime pursuits I’m not lonely, not hungry.

It is very important that parents explain to their children from childhood that loneliness is normal, especially after the age of 25 when the circle of friends may be shrinking. I feel this from my own experience, as my parents didn't explain anything to me and when my friends left me, I felt lousy alone. But now I realise that I am much more comfortable with myself than with people who only made me uncomfortable.
But you shouldn't idealise it, because people still need social contact. Therefore, it is necessary to maintain a certain balance, not just one thing

Well, I used to be a kind of gregarious person, I liked talking to people. I liked telling even the smallest things to my loved ones but after completing my school, I took my career as a priority,
and gradually I learned to be alone and learned to make myself happy alone as well. I found more time to introspect, which is very important thing, I am not saying that you should always be alone or travel alone ''NO'', certainly take time out for your loved once too. But people should be those who are good for your mental health if you want to focus on yourself.

Growing up an only child with just my mother as family I have never minded being alone, but what I miss since DH’s death after almost sixty years together is the unspoken understanding and the ability for a random thought to be picked up out of the ether. I am grateful for friends and family but the essential aloneness won’t alter.

ah!Absolute Glo and Debora....

I am learning...
it helps to come here and hear about other people

Ever since the pandemic started I’ve had to have something on in the background when I’m trying to get to sleep or my mind races and I think scary things. Having said that my partner had the dog the other week and I had the house completely to myself for several days and I loved the silence during the day. It made me realise how I need silence to unclutter my mind. So I seem to need both extremes.

I'm usually ok alone with my thoughts but just at the moment I need distractions as my thoughts could lead me to a high level of anxiety.
The middle of the night is worst.