Show Notes for The Aspiring Psychologist Podcast Episode:

How to thrive spending time alone – with Francesca Specter

Thank you for listening to the Aspiring Psychologist Podcast.

For a variety of reasons in psychology we might find ourselves needing or choosing to spend large chunks of time by ourselves alone. But this can be frowned upon by others and also conjur up tricky thoughts and feelings for us too. In today’s episode I am joined by Times Book of The Year Author, Francesca Specter where we discuss how to understand and Nail spending time by yourself. I wish I’d had access to this episode when I was an Aspiring psychologist.

I’d of course love any feedback you might have, and I’d love to know what your offers are and to be connected with you on socials so I can help you to celebrate your wins!

The Highlights:

(00:00): Overview
(01:19): Welcome and Context
(03:22): Welcome to Francesca
(03:47): What is alonement?
(04:55): How we met
(05:10): Why is this an important conversation in psychology?
(06:14): Why being alone is scary
(07:07): Our tolerance for boredom
(09:01): Loneliness and mindless scrolling
(10:03): What does the state of alonement feel like?
(10:44): Differences to loneliness
(11:57): Extroversion and introversion
(13:25): Normalising alonement
(15:25): Alonement and the Psychology profession
(19:32): Old habits and patterns can be a useful crutch but….
(22:16): Confidence and courage to explore new local areas
(23:25): Marianne’s unusual USA cinema experience
(26:02): Main character syndrome
(26:37): Chats about cauliflowers
(27:22): Alonement – Francesca’s book
(29:47): For future versions of ourselves who need it
(30:51): Learning to emotionally regulate
(31:52): Research into time alone and perceptions
(32:46): The accidental breakup manual
(34:29): Tips for starting out in alonement
(39:19): The empowerment of alone
(40:24): Connecting with Francesca
(41:29): Thanks to Francesca
(41:58): Summary and close

Links:

➡️ To connect with Francesca Specter head to: https://www.francescaspecter.co.uk/ and https://francescaspecter.substack.com/ and https://www.instagram.com/chezspecter/

💝To support me by donating to help cover my costs for the free resources I provide click here: https://the-aspiring-psychologist.captivate.fm/support

➡️ To check out The Clinical Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3jOplx0

➡️ To check out The Aspiring Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3CP2N97

 To check out or join the aspiring psychologist membership for just £30 per month head to: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/membership-interested

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