When Kerri Sackville decided to stop filling every idle moment with distraction and learn to be comfortable alone, her quality of life soared. From boosting creativity and productivity, improving self-awareness, building resilience and moral courage, to improving relationships and connection with others, a bit of alone time is vital to wellbeing. But with smart phones, social media, endless streaming and podcast options, as well as the demands of work, family and friends, spending meaningful time on your own can feel impossible, unnecessary, or even indulgent.

In The Secret Life of You, Kerri Sackville analyses society’s attitude towards solitude – why is it okay to eat breakfast at a café on your own but faintly tragic to dine alone? She identifies the roadblocks in the way to unplugging, contemplates aloneness as opposed to loneliness, and looks at the difference between true connection and mere connectivity. Kerri provides practical advice on how to become comfortable in your own company, in order to enjoy – and even cherish – time alone.

In this episode Gregory Dobbs chats to Kerri Sackville about the difference between loneliness and being alone, why a little alone time can build resilience and mental toughness, and some of strategies we can all use to cultivate our inner lives and build stronger connections.