Chapter 2 - Everyday Solitude for Everyday People

Summary

What exactly we mean when we say the word “solitude” is still up for debate in the research world. Defining solitude using the experiences of ordinary people – and not just the musings of the poets and prophets we met in the last chapter–was an important objective in our research and writing. In an attempt to create a definition that we and other researchers could share, we had to pin down its basic components, to build a better picture of the nature and conditions of solitude as many people experience it. When and how does it happen? Where does it happen and why? When is it good or bad, or neither? With the generous input of many people from around the world, we were able to describe solitude in an accurate and inclusive way.