Misery Loves Company, While Happiness Prefers Solitude

Finding solace in shared struggles, cherishing joy in solitude

eMuse
Coffee & Convo
4 min readMar 30, 2023

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Photo by Alexander Grey on Unsplash

We’ve all heard the phrase “misery loves company” before, right? Well, there’s actually some truth to it. When we’re feeling down or going through a tough time, it can be comforting to know that we’re not alone. It’s like we seek out others who understand us and what we’re going through, and it can make us feel better knowing that we’re not the only ones dealing with our problems. Do you feel the same way sometimes?

And you know what? It’s not just about feeling less lonely. When we’re feeling miserable, we tend to focus on the negative stuff, right? It can be hard to see the positives in our lives. But when we’re surrounded by other people who are also feeling down, it’s easier to relate to each other and bond over our shared struggles. It’s like we can connect with each other on a deeper level and find a sense of belonging.

On the other hand, when we’re feeling happy and content, we tend to prefer our own company. Have you ever felt like that before? Like you just want to savor your happiness and enjoy it on your own? It’s like we don’t want to share it with others because we worry it might somehow diminish our joy.

And when we’re feeling good, we might also want to do things that we enjoy on our own, like taking a walk in nature, reading a book, or pursuing a creative project. It’s like happiness is a more personal experience, you know?

So, in summary, it’s okay to seek out company when we’re feeling down and to enjoy our positive emotions on our own. We just need to figure out when we need support from others and when we can cherish our joy in solitude. What do you think?

Ultimately, we all have different ways of coping with our emotions, and that’s perfectly fine. Some of us might feel more comfortable talking to others about our problems, while others might prefer to keep to ourselves. There’s no right or wrong way to deal with our feelings, as long as we’re taking care of ourselves and doing what feels right for us.

However, it’s important to remember that seeking support from others when we’re feeling down can be incredibly beneficial. It can help us to feel less isolated and more understood, and it can provide us with a sense of validation and comfort. Sometimes, all we need is a listening ear or a shoulder to cry on.

On the other hand, there’s also value in enjoying our happiness on our own. When we’re feeling content and fulfilled, it can be a wonderful opportunity to reflect on our lives and appreciate the good things. It’s important to take time for ourselves and to do things that make us happy, even if that means doing them alone.

So, whether you’re seeking company or cherishing solitude, remember that it’s all about finding balance and doing what feels right for you. As long as you’re taking care of yourself and your emotions, you’re on the right path.

It’s also worth noting that the phrase “misery loves company” can sometimes have a negative connotation. It implies that people who are feeling down might want to bring others down with them or that they enjoy seeing others suffer. But that’s not necessarily true. Often, when we’re feeling miserable, we just want someone to understand us and offer support. It’s not about wanting to bring others down; it’s about finding comfort in shared experiences.

Similarly, the phrase “happiness prefers its own company” doesn’t mean that happy people are selfish or don’t care about others. It simply means that sometimes, when we’re feeling good, we want to savor that feeling and enjoy it on our own. And that’s perfectly okay.

In the end, our emotions are complex and ever-changing. We might feel happy one moment and sad the next, or we might feel a mix of emotions all at once. It’s all a part of being human. What’s important is that we allow ourselves to feel our emotions, however uncomfortable or overwhelming they might be, and that we reach out for support when we need it.

So, let’s remember to be kind to ourselves and to others, whether we’re seeking company or enjoying our happiness in solitude. We’re all in this together, and we can get through anything as long as we support each other along the way.

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eMuse
Coffee & Convo

eMuse is a writer, artist, and entrepreneur. She writes about various topics in her curated publications: Coffee & Canvas and Coffee & Convo.