Dr. Rhonda Barofsky

That is sadly so not true.

That is sadly so not true.

Yeah. Okay, now let's go back to Brittany, who is asking if it's okay to enjoy or even prefer being alone. And she said, Hi, Dr. Burns. One thing I've accepted about myself is I really do enjoy being alone. I think in the past I would try to find a buddy in an uncomfortable situation like the first day of work or orientation or going to a baby shower alone, etc.,

Yeah. Okay, now let's go back to Brittany, who is asking if it's okay to enjoy or even prefer being alone. And she said, Hi, Dr. Burns. One thing I've accepted about myself is I really do enjoy being alone. I think in the past I would try to find a buddy in an uncomfortable situation like the first day of work or orientation or going to a baby shower alone, etc.,

But now I find that I am most comfortable when I'm not included with everyone else. However, I think it can come across as off-putting to some people. Sometimes I get the feeling people see me excluding myself as rejection to them. That's not my intention, and nobody has ever actually said that, but it's a thought that pops up.

But now I find that I am most comfortable when I'm not included with everyone else. However, I think it can come across as off-putting to some people. Sometimes I get the feeling people see me excluding myself as rejection to them. That's not my intention, and nobody has ever actually said that, but it's a thought that pops up.

I'm just wondering if you think this form of acceptance is good or bad. I mean, it's been good for me. Maybe it's just bad for others. Brittany.

I'm just wondering if you think this form of acceptance is good or bad. I mean, it's been good for me. Maybe it's just bad for others. Brittany.

Well, piggybacking on what you said about healthy versus unhealthy acceptance... She's asking, is this form of acceptance that she enjoys or prefers being alone? Does accepting that part of herself, does that give her joy? Does that give her hope and intimacy and laughter and growth? Or is she hating that part about herself? Is she feeling hopeless, isolated, cynicism, resignation?

Well, piggybacking on what you said about healthy versus unhealthy acceptance... She's asking, is this form of acceptance that she enjoys or prefers being alone? Does accepting that part of herself, does that give her joy? Does that give her hope and intimacy and laughter and growth? Or is she hating that part about herself? Is she feeling hopeless, isolated, cynicism, resignation?

And if she can approach this with joy... Versus approaching it with self-hatred, then that's for her to figure out if it's healthy or unhealthy, right?

And if she can approach this with joy... Versus approaching it with self-hatred, then that's for her to figure out if it's healthy or unhealthy, right?

Well, that's what I mean. But she's also worried about other people judging her.

Well, that's what I mean. But she's also worried about other people judging her.

I think if we were going through the whole team model with her, I think it would be really fun to do a feared fantasy with her about that.

I think if we were going through the whole team model with her, I think it would be really fun to do a feared fantasy with her about that.

Yeah, exactly. Yeah, I went camping with a group of friends last week. And at some point, some really fun thing was being planned. And I just like, wow, wow, wow. I said, I'm going to the tent. I need to be alone. I'm going to read. You guys can have fun without me.

Yeah, exactly. Yeah, I went camping with a group of friends last week. And at some point, some really fun thing was being planned. And I just like, wow, wow, wow. I said, I'm going to the tent. I need to be alone. I'm going to read. You guys can have fun without me.

You know, it's rejuvenating, too, to be alone.

You know, it's rejuvenating, too, to be alone.