One for Joy: An introvert’s guide to the secret world of solitude

by Tom Albrighton

When the world is obsessed with being social, we forget the riches within ourselves. It’s time we rediscovered the lost art of being alone.

Solitude is more than the absence of other people. It’s an experience just like any other, and it can be as joyful, valuable and inspiring as any other aspect of our lives.

One for Joy is a treasure trove of solitude that looks at every side of being alone.
We’ll see the different forms that solitude can take, from brief daydreams to solo journeys, everywhere from wide-open spaces to cosy nooks.

We’ll discover the many benefits of being alone, from rest, recharging and reflection to healing pain and making plans.

We’ll learn how solitude helps you focus on a vital task or just kick back and chill out, and a few of the wonderful ways to enjoy your time alone.

We’ll explore ideas and reflections on what it means to be alone, from antiquity to the present day.

Finally, we’ll unpack how self and company combine, how the digital world can undermine solitude and why the introvert’s need to be alone can be hard for others to understand.

Along the way, we’ll encounter thinkers and writers on solitude from Byron and Charlotte Brontë to Bo Burnham and Kate Bush, and meet solitary characters from Pippi Longstocking to Darth Vader.

Wide-ranging and insightful, yet with a light and readable style, One for Joy is a fun and fascinating read for anyone who’s happy on their own.

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Psychology, Health

316 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 10, 2023

About the author

Tom Albrighton is a copywriter and author of 'One for Joy', 'How to Write Clearly', ‘Copywriting Made Simple’, ‘The Freelance Introvert’ and 'The Freelancer's Business Brain’.

Tom has been a freelance copywriter for over 12 years. In that time, he’s written about everything from cupcakes and cameras to spectacles and solar panels.

Tom was an original co-founder of ProCopywriters, the UK alliance of commercial writers.

In a 2015 DMA survey, he was ranked the #7 ‘Copywriter rated by copywriters’.

Reviews

[Chris Steeden · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember Henry Rollins talking about how he feels being by himself for long stretches at a time and getting work done. People just did not understand the solitude. They were always asking him if he was lonely. He was never lonely. He could be reading, writing a book, writing articles, creating his radio show, preparing for a talking tour. All that stuff requires solitude. He relishes it.

It is not to everyone’s liking. There are introverts and extroverts and Albrighton gets into this. He is a lifelong introvert. Since COVID I have not worked in the office so I am ‘alone’ for many hours every day in my home office. Then of course there is the solitude of reading which, my Goodreads friends, you know all about. This is called networked Solitude.

I am not an introvert by Albrighton’s definition but this book is weirdly calming and it had me nodding my head at many points. I do not seek attention like an extrovert either so I guess I am in the middle if there is such a place or maybe between introvert and middle. I read about 10 pages per day in-between other stuff and my idea of what solitude meant or means is correct in the very basic sense of the word but Albrighton shows many more facets. Really quite intriguing.

I enjoyed this book and did take a lot of things from it even though some bits went over my head a little. Maybe I zoned out into solitude? He peppers the book with many quotes. I liked this one: ‘It is not when he is working in the office but when he is lying idly on the sand that his soul utters, ‘Life is beautiful.’ – Lin Yutang’. Indeed.

There is a chapter titled; ‘Digital Solitude is Impossible’. We are back to networked solitude. ‘We’re physically alone, but psychologically connected to others…’ Nothing earth shattering here, all the stuff we would expect the author to say. Then he goes onto films and Christmas and it all goes in an odd direction but gets back on track after that.

I had many take-aways from this book but to me there were a couple of non-chapters but still felt it was definitely worth a read. If you are a true introvert you will be nodding your head all the way through I am sure. I nodded my head more than a thought. It is not a self-help book in that sense. It is more an affirmation book but a very interesting one indeed where in my case there were a lot more affirmations than I expected.

[Barrowsend · Rating 2 out of 5]

There must be good books out there on the positives of solitude - One For Joy isn't it.

[Nichole · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful read for all introverts and solitude seekers

[Anthony Frobisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Solitary Pleasure

Introvert, quiet, solitary...but happy, content, satisfied with life. I don't eschew society as such, nor dislike people, only prefer my own company and solitary pleasures such as writing, reading, music, walking and cycling etc. Why? Am I so different to everyone out there in the loud, brash, in your face extroverted world?
It seems not. So much of Tom Albrighton's excellently researched book resonated with me. He writes on solitude and introversion with so many points of reference to my own experience that I was constantly nodding in agreement.
Solitude is a wonderful thing, not something we should avoid or be fearful of.
Thank you Tom for writing a book that explains, educates and helps us discover the enjoyment, the pleasure of solitude.

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this! I related to the authors descriptions and reflections on life as an introvert in a culture that rarely validates these qualities. In that sense it was unexpectedly quite soothing, a little dose of ‘self help’, and permission-giving for appreciating my solitude, when I get the chance.

I occasionally bristled when the author spoke dismissively about extroverts, as I know many who are very capable of empathy and deep thought, and I also bristled when it felt like being an introvert was used as an excuse for behaving rudely to others. But as the book went on I came to feel some of these comments were a kind of tongue in cheek humour, I hope so anyway, it was not a heavy read.

[Judy Cyg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rarely have I enjoyed a non-fiction book more. I admit, I'm also an introvert, so what Tom Albrighton wrote hit me as bolts of joyful truth again and again, yet he also offered researched reasons, other people's stories, and memorable quotes to make this way of living a pleasure, rather than something that triggered apologies to my extrovert friends and family. I laughed, too, at his descriptions, all the while nodding and agreeing. Thank you! I stand avenged.

[Yvon Lavigne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book, read it with interest.

[Viveca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, I thoroughly enjoyed this well written and diligently researched book. So many moments I identified with, many highlighted quotes and passages to return to, lovely to realise I am not the only person who feels this way. This book was a genuine pleasure to read, and left me feeling like I’d been hugged by a good friend.