Being alone, in itself, is nothing. It can be a breeding ground of loneliness as easily as a breeding ground of solitude. Solitude is a condition of peace that stands in direct opposition to loneliness. Kent Nerburn
I do like being alone a lot, and I think it’s because I’m getting better at what solitude is about. But I wonder if I would do as well if I was single. Or childless. I take great comfort in my relationship with my wife and children, and I think that, in part, this helps me to get in the groove with solitude rather than heading down the loneliness road. Given different circumstances, I may have more trouble with it than I do now.