How To Be Alone
Why Hacker News recommends it
HN commenters point lonely people to it as a moving, comforting piece of art about getting comfortable with solitude.
What it is
An animated short film of Tanya Davis's spoken-word poem 'How To Be Alone', illustrated by Andrea Dorfman. It gently argues that being alone can be embraced and enjoyed.
Recommended by 6 HN commenters across 5 different months, 2010 to 2026.
What Hacker News said
Recommends fleitz · 2010-09 · on “How Loneliness is Contagious”
I've often been alone but never felt lonely, I guess this video kind of sums up my thoughts. "How to be alone" [this video]
Recommends paganel · 2013-06 · on “Only the Lonely”
Maybe lots of people already know about it, but I'll just copy-paste this in here: [this video] It's not an anti-dote (to loneliness and everything), it just genuinely helped me from time to time and I hope it will also help others.
Recommends barbs · 2015-05 · on “Start doing more things alone”
This video did the rounds a few years ago, and I think it nicely captures the sentiment of doing things alone. [this video]
Recommends ptrklly · 2022-03 · on “Ask HN: I'm So Lonely”
I'm sorry you feel this way! I've felt very lonely in the past and it was among my hardest times--though I'm sure my version of it was different and doesn't have specific applicability, just figured I'd share. You asked on "tips for giving yourself attention". Can you elaborate on what you mean by that? Are there examples you could give us of what that is like, to help us think of other ideas? One piece of art that I loved that is about this topic is this: [this video] . Like most art it doesn't really answer your question directly with concrete suggestions, but maybe it will be worth watching anyway.
Recommends idealboy · 2026-03 · on “Ask HN: How to Be Alone?”
Most responses are about how not to be alone. Your question reminded me of an old YouTube video I found helpful called how to be alone: [this video]
Recommends forrestpitz · 2026-03 · on “Ask HN: How to Be Alone?”
Maybe not specific advice for your situation but I've always found this poem moving and valuable when it comes to building comfort in being alone. I hope it helps you too [this video]