Did you know that there are people who are always alone? These kinds of people rarely associate with other people.
Have you ever met, seen or heard of someone that loves to be alone? If you have not, you know now that there are people who prefer being alone, to having the company of others.
People who love to be alone, stay alone or by themselves, for different reasons known to them. Some might abstain from people for religious purposes, while some, some other reasons. Some people love to be alone so that they can avoid “drama.”
Note that someone may also be suffering a mental health issue, and as such, would always want to be alone.
However, in this article, you will get to know the different words for people who love to be alone, and their meanings. And also, the reasons these people stay away from others. Let us get into it.
10 Words For Someone Who Loves To Be Alone
Recluse:
A recluse is a person who imposes isolation on himself, and lives in seclusion from the world and other people, for religious purposes.
Such a person could be a monk. It could be some other religious fellow. The main reason for this abstinence from others, is so that they do not deviate from their faith.
An example of a religious recluse is John the Baptist in the Christian Bible. He was said to stay in the wild and away from people, and feed on locusts.
Another example, can be drawn from African traditional priests in some communities. They usually stay away from people in their communities.This is because they operate spiritually, and are the sole religious leaders of their people (who may be of traditional religion).
The Pope is another example of a religious leader in recluse. Yes, he lives in a city with other priests like himself, but is secluded from the outside world, and its people. A recluse can also be called a hermit.
Miller of Dee
This is an idiomatic expression or word for someone who lives independently and is not attached to others, for selfish reasons.
This expression is said to have originated from a traditional English folk song, Miller of Dee, in which Miller is said to have sung that he would care for nobody, if nobody cares for him.
A selfish person could decide to stay alone, so that he or she is of no benefit to others, especially if they think that they have nothing to benefit from other people.
An example of such a person can be cited from John Galsworthy’s Tatterdemalion where it is written and quoted; “He was a regular “Miller of Dee,” caring for nobody; and yet he was likeable, that humorous old stoic, who suffered from gall-stone…”
Anthrophobe
An anthrophobe is someone that fears and avoids other human beings. Such a person’s love for being alone stems from an unusual fear of his own kind.
Such a person actively avoids other people, and stays away from them.
An anthrophobe is someone suffering from anthropophobia (also called anthrophobia). This situation can be part of social anxiety disorder, although not the same as the Social Anxiety Disorder.
One cannot really point out why anyone would be scared of humans, but it can depend on the person and past experiences. However some factors that influence such phobia may include;
- Negative events or experiences with people, things or places
- The person’s genetics
- The environment the person finds himself
- Changes in brain functioning due to mental disorder
Misanthrope
A misanthrope is someone who hates mankind. Such a person stays away from other people because he or she already hates their existence.
The word “misanthrope” is said to have gotten its origin from the Greek words “mīsos”, meaning hatred, and “ānthropos”, meaning man or human.
The condition of this behavior is called misanthropy, and it involves evaluating negative views towards humanity. The judgement of a misanthrope towards humankind is based on a negative view, concerning man’s flaws.
The major flaws pointed out by misanthropes are; intellectual flaws(as it relates with intelligence and logic), moral flaws(of what is to be done rightly, cruelty, and such), and aesthetic flaws(the outward appearance of mankind, bordering on ugliness).
Misanthropic views have been used to argue antinatalism; which is the view that existence is bad and humans should abstain from procreation.
An example of a misanthrope can be seen in Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eyes, of the man, Soaphead.
Individualist
An individualist is one who is said to have the beliefs of individualism. Individualism is a philosophical thought or doctrine that says that nothing exists, but the individual self.
An individualist may not necessarily always stay away from people, but such a person sure would like to conduct his activities without the interference of other people.
Such a person would have the tendency to act without reference to others, mostly in the matters of style, fashion or mode of thought.
This person stands with the moral stance or philosophy that promotes independence and self-reliance of a person as an individual. Such a person opposes the interference with each person’s choices by another; society, the state, and any other institution.
Hikikomori
This is a Japanese phenomenon whereby an individual becomes a recluse from society, typically confining himself or herself to the house or a single room for a very long period.
It is a form of severe social withdrawal, which is frequent in Japan and is characterised by adolescents and young adults who become recluses in their parents’ homes, and are unable to work or go to school for months and even years. This can also be defined as a recluse of such sort.
This condition is more of a sociocultural mental disorder, rather than a distinct one. It emanates from fear of being rejected by other people. Some other causes are;
- Post-traumatic stress disorder and trauma-related disorders
- Social anxiety disorder and other anxiety-related disorders
- Schizophrenia and psychotic disorders
- Depression
Outsider
An outsider is someone who is not around other people much. Such a person is one who is not part of a community, clique or organisation. He does not mind the company of other people, but is most likely to be found alone. And he or she enjoys their own company.
This, of course, has nothing to do with mental disorders. It is sometimes as a result of the person’s choice, other times, it may be a social condition. It is a social condition when the person is not accepted within a group of people, or in an institution. Then, that person resorts to being alone.
Note that such a person can still form alliances with other people. It depends on his or choice. However, they mostly are on their own.
Lone Ranger
A lone ranger is one who acts alone, without consulting or seeking the approval of others before taking an action.
This kind of person is synonymous to the individualist, in how he or she takes individual actions, despite being within a group of people.
This orientation can lead such a person to be alone, not minding the presence of people around him or her.
A lone ranger is usually lonesome (alone, but not necessarily lonely), and enjoys his or her own company. He or she does what they want without thinking of what it may mean to others.
A lone ranger may be that kid in class who carries out activities alone, and does his stuff by himself, even when with friends or team.
Solitudinarian
This is synonymous to a recluse. Such a person is also called an eremite. He or she chooses to be alone for mostly religious purposes (as stated earlier), in solitude.
A solitudinarian does not necessarily have to be a religious leader to be a religious recluse. Some religious practices include staying away from people for a certain period of time, and not all who practice such religions are religious leaders.
One could also crave solitude and serenity to clear their mind and think. A lot of people do this. Some people could also decide to be alone for their mental health.
However, that is not what a solitudinarian is. A solitudinarian loves solitude, and loves to be alone.
Lone Wolf
A lone wolf is a wolf that does not belong to a pack. This is how it is with a lone person.
The term, “lone wolf,” is a metaphor for a person who avoids the company of others. Such a person is a loner; one who is independent or solitary. He belongs to no group of people. This is synonymous to the outsider and lone ranger. When you do not want to use words like “lone ranger” or “outsider,” you can do with Lone Wolf.
Conclusion
There are many words or names for people who love to be alone.
There are also many reasons why some people decide to be alone. However, there are medical conditions that may cause one to decide to be alone, and secluded from other people. We have seen a few in this article.
Are there other words you know for people who love to be alone? Be nice if you did!
