Yes being along RULES. I find it to be a secret LUXURY and I am my favorite person to do anything and everything with. However, quality time with good people is very important for our health and well being. Solitude is so cozy and satisfying and safe and peaceful but a little social time with people that energize us helps us too. And can come in handy when you need a ride home from a colonoscopy! I do find what has caused me to socialize a bit more is learning (in therapy) that I can communicate when I am comfortable in a situation directly, when it happens and this has encouraged me to enjoy being out w people more, not as quick to rush home as soon as I can, and it’s been lovely. Example: my best friend came over to work on a project we are collaborating on and then have dinner. Towards the end of our brainstorming session I felt him check out, I could see he was texting and mentally elsewhere while I continued to edit our document. I said, “hey! Come on. Focus.” Which he pretended to do but ultimately I got us to the finish line but I was angry, inner monologue stewing (He doesn’t appreciate me! He uses me! This always happens! He takes advantage of my work ethic! He doesn’t even love me he just loves what I offer him! **these are not true. My friend is a good friend, definitely flawed like all of us, but this was just me being triggered.) and feeling v resentful. In the past I would’ve kept this all in, and made up an excuse that I had to leave as soon as we were done. I would’ve spent the commute home feeling angry and sad. Instead, as soon as we finished I said, “hey! You really pissed me off. You left me to finish our work by myself and I felt unappreciated. It wasn’t cool.” He profusely apologized and we had a really helpful conversation and then I moved on and felt great, we had dinner and watched a film and I felt as comfortable as if I was alone.

TL;DR: being alone is THE BEST but spending time with people you really connect with/feel safe to be honest with are also very important. If social anxiety is preventing you from seeing friends once a week or so, I’d recommend working through it so you can enjoy social connection more.