Solitude as a new aspirational lifestyle: 'We are not lonely'

August 1, 2026

A growing trend on social media features content creators, predominantly women, sharing their experiences of living alone and embracing solitary lifestyles. Lana Isa, a Toronto-based software sales manager, gained millions of views on TikTok by documenting her solo routines and friendless lifestyle, sparking both connection and controversy online. While critics label these individuals as "loneliness influencers" promoting isolation, the creators argue they are destigmatizing solitude and showcasing how alone time can be fulfilling rather than depressing.

Who is affected

Lana Isa, a software sales manager in her 20s based in Toronto
Devon Noehring, a full-time content creator based in Phoenix, Arizona
Young women content creators sharing solo lifestyle content
Their collective followers (Isa has almost 400,000 followers across TikTok and Instagram)
Viewers who relate to living alone or having few friends
Introverts with social anxiety
Health researchers studying loneliness

What action is being taken

Content creators are posting videos and reels documenting their daily solo routines, including cooking, self-care activities, road trips, and attending events alone
Isa is chronicling her nightly routines and taking followers on various solo activities
Health researchers are working to "destigmatise loneliness" by differentiating types of loneliness
Followers are connecting and bonding in comments sections over shared experiences

Why it matters

This trend matters because it challenges societal stigmas around being alone and friendless, which have traditionally been viewed as embarrassing or taboo. It provides validation and community for people who live solitary lifestyles, helping them feel seen and less isolated in their experiences. The movement also sparks important conversations about the difference between being alone and being lonely, and whether solitude should be celebrated as a legitimate lifestyle choice rather than pathologized as a crisis or defeatism.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC