When we talk about loneliness, we usually think of the unwanted kind. This type of loneliness can even lead to illness. However, this “isolation” is not always negative. In fact, some people genuinely enjoy being alone, even on dates that are socially linked to being together, like Christmas, New Year’s Eve, weekends, or holidays. For them, enjoying solitude is not a sign of shyness, isolation, or poor social skills. Often, it represents an alternative approach to comprehending reality. This was recently explained by entrepreneur and influencer Jaime Higuera, founder of E-Com Growth Partners, in one of his reels.
It is not about avoiding people but about how the brain responds to stimuli and a capacity the brain has called introspective cognition, according to Jaime Higuera. It is also a common trait among highly intelligent people.
What exactly is introspective cognition?
Introspective cognition describes a type of mental functioning in which the brain obtains more reward from deep thinking, reflection, problem solving, and sustained work than from constant social interaction.
From a neuropsychological perspective, the key lies in dopamine. While most people experience an increase in this neurotransmitter through social connection, those who discover pleasure in inner focus get the same reward from concentrating, analyzing patterns, tackling complex challenges, or working without interruptions.
That is why a room full of people can feel mentally exhausting for them, while a difficult question or a demanding project becomes deeply motivating.
They are not antisocial
As Higuera pointed out, people who like being alone and enjoy introspective thinking do not avoid others. They protect their focus. Their nervous system is not built to handle constant attention fragmentation very well. Too many stimulating conversations that stay on the surface, notifications, and interruptions feel like noise.
By contrast, silence, chosen solitude, and low-distraction environments let the brain operate at its best. That is why many people with this profile can feel drained after several social hours, yet they fully switch to working alone late at night on something that matters to them.
Their relationships are few, but deeply meaningful
People who enjoy being alone often share another trait: they have fewer relationships, but they are intense and meaningful. They do not need a wide social circle to feel connected. It is enough to know they can have a stimulating conversation with someone who understands how they think. Intellectual compatibility becomes a key part of the bond.
That is why shallow, repetitive, or trivial conversations can feel mentally draining. They do not provide cognitive or emotional stimulation and leave a sense of wear rather than closeness. In contrast, exchanges that involve reflection, curiosity, critical thinking, or creativity act like real mental fuel. Talking about ideas, comparing viewpoints, exploring complex questions, or sharing learning processes creates a sense of energy and expansion.
How to develop introspective thinking
Introspective cognition is a skill you can train. Here are a few keys to develop it.
Create real spaces of silence
Introspective thinking needs an absence of noise, not only external noise but mental noise too. Setting aside moments without stimulation, no phone, no music, and no interruptions lets your mind slow down and start processing more deeply. It is not about long hours, but consistency. Ten or fifteen minutes a day can make a difference.
Write to organize your mind
Reflective writing is one of the most effective tools. Putting your thoughts on paper forces you to structure ideas, spot contradictions, and name fuzzy emotions. You do not need to write well or make it pretty. Just write honestly, without censoring yourself. Many people figure out what is really going on while they are writing it.
Learn to ask yourself good questions
Introspective thinking does not move forward through self-blame, but through clear questions. Instead of “why am I like this,” it works better to ask “what do I need right now?” or “what is this situation teaching me?” Open, specific questions aimed at understanding encourage productive introspection rather than rumination.
Reduce overstimulation
If your mind is flooded with information, it cannot go deep. Cutting back on constant social media, news, or messaging helps you recover the ability to reflect. Introspection needs space, because that is where your own ideas show up instead of automatic reactions to the outside.
Practice mindfulness
Healthy introspection rests on the ability to observe without judging. Techniques like conscious breathing or meditation help you notice thoughts and emotions without getting trapped in them. It is not about controlling them but looking at them from a bit of distance, which brings clarity.
Tell introspection apart from rumination
Looking inward is useful when it leads to understanding and adjustment. It stops being helpful when it turns into a loop. If you notice you always end up in the same place without moving forward, it is time to switch tools: write, talk to someone you trust, or make a concrete decision. Introspection should help you act better, not freeze you.
Bring reflection into everyday life
You do not need to withdraw your thoughts. Walking alone, taking an unhurried shower, or doing a repetitive task without distractions are ideal moments for reflection. Many clear ideas show up when the body is busy and the mind has space.
Accept what comes up
Working on introspective thinking means tolerating discomfort. Sometimes doubts, fears, or contradictions appear. That is not a sign you are doing it wrong, but that you are going deep. The key is not to run from it or dramatize it, but to observe and understand.