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LEADING ARTICLE

The Times view of a lesson from Covid: In Praise Of Solitude

The pandemic has taught us the value of time alone

The Times
Britons drew more positives than negatives from the months they spent alone during lockdown
Britons drew more positives than negatives from the months they spent alone during lockdown
ALAMY

The first lockdown, imposed in March last year, had a profoundly isolating effect. Casual conversation with colleagues and classmates stopped overnight; gone too were the after-work drinks, after-school clubs and after-hours bonhomie of pre-pandemic life.

There can be no doubt that this caused much loneliness and misery. Yet according to a new study, published today, the story is not as simple as that. Researchers surveyed more than 2,000 teenagers and adults and found that all age groups experienced positive as well as negative effects from being alone in the early period of the pandemic. In fact, respondents’ descriptions of solitude included more positive effects than negative ones, with time alone making them feel competent and autonomous, and affording the opportunity to learn new skills.

Perhaps