Solitude

Storr frames solitude as a voluntary, constructive state that allows for introspection and creative renewal, whereas he characterizes loneliness as a painful, unwanted sense of isolation. He argues that the modern psychological focus on intimate relationships as the sole source of happiness often pathologizes the healthy, necessary capacity to be alone.

The book explicitly argues that the benefits of solitude are not reserved for artists or scholars but are essential for the well-being and personal development of the average person. Storr uses the lives of historical figures like Beethoven and Beatrix Potter primarily to illustrate how solitary activity serves as a universal resource for finding meaning and coherence.