Today’s Big Story

Alone, But Not Lonely

Why some solitude can make you happier

In our overly-connected world, choosing to be alone might seem counterintuitive. But solitude, when intentionally sought out, can be a powerful source of renewal and happiness. It’s important to distinguish between loneliness—a painful sense of disconnection—and solitude, which is a chosen and often nourishing experience. While loneliness is linked to higher stress and health risks, studies show that voluntary solitude can reduce anxiety, boost creativity, and increase self-awareness.

This philosophy of being fulfilled by flying solo is currently be championed by a new wave of books. The BBC reports that several titles on the topic have been released, with a few more in the works. Solitude: The Science and Power of Being Alone, and Solo: Building a Remarkable Life of Your Own hit the shelves in 2024, and Nicola Slawson's Single: Living a Complete Life on Your Own Terms was published in February. Then last month saw the release of Emma Gannon's much-anticipated novel Table For One; having made her name with non-fiction books questioning traditional ideas of success and productivity, Gannon is now reconsidering modern relationships, in a love story focusing on a young woman finding joy in being alone, rather than with a partner.

Even platforms like TikTok now host content celebrating solo living, whether it’s eating out alone or traveling independently—signs of a growing cultural comfort with solitude. Deeper research in psychology supports this movement. Studies have found that people who voluntarily spend time alone often report higher levels of self-esteem and emotional regulation. Solitude gives the brain a chance to rest and process, which in turn sparks original thinking and problem-solving. As behavioral psychologist Robert Coplan explains, the key is in the choice—when solitude is embraced rather than endured, it becomes an asset to our mental well-being.

And The Conversation reports that statistics show that we’re choosing to be solitary for more of our waking hours than ever before, tucked away at home rather than mingling in public. Increasing numbers of us are choosing to spend time solo, and rates of living alone have nearly doubled in the past 50 years. This shift represents a desire for what researchers call “positive solitude,” a state that is associated with well-being, not loneliness.

Experts recommend building simple, intentional rituals into our alone time—like walking without a phone, journaling, listening to music, or reading in a quiet café. These routines shift the experience from passive isolation to active self-nurturing. Avoiding distractions like endless scrolling helps make solitude restorative rather than numbing. Of course, solitude isn’t about rejecting social connection altogether. The healthiest approach is a balanced one, where moments of aloneness are matched with meaningful interaction. The ideal mix is different for everyone, but by tuning in to our own needs and rhythms, solitude becomes more than just absence—it becomes presence. And in that presence, we often find clarity, contentment and a deeper sense of self.

The G7 Opens in Canada

World leaders gather for a summit overshadowed by Israel-Iran crisis

President Trump has pushed to annex Canada, called its former prime minister the governor of the 51st state and imposed stiff tariffs on Canadian imports, perplexing and perturbing the country’s leaders and citizens. This week, Trump will bring his disruptive brand of politics to Canadian soil. He arrived on Sunday for a meeting of Group of Seven leaders that is expected to focus on trade, the war in Ukraine and unrest in the Middle East. The meeting will be an early test of whether U.S. allies can reach consensus with the Trump administration despite deepening disagreements.

If there is a shared mission at this year’s G7—which includes leaders from the U.S., Canada, France, Italy, Japan, Germany and Britain—it’s a desire to minimize any fireworks at a moment of combustible tensions. European Union representatives also typically attend, along with other heads of state who aren't a part of the G7 but who have been invited by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. A White House official said late Sunday that Trump will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Carney and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum during the summit.

As summit host, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has decided to abandon the annual practice of issuing a joint statement, or communique, at the end of the meeting. Some see this as a sign that the Trump administration sees no need to build a shared consensus with fellow democracies if it views such a statement as contrary to its goals of new tariffs, more fossil fuel production and a Europe that is less dependent on the U.S. military.

Fear of Flying Renewed

How safe is air travel in 2025?

All the aircraft crashes and near misses lately have fueled many worries about flying. The recent Indian crash was far worse than the midair collision that killed 67 people near Washington, D.C., in January in the first major fatal crash on U.S. soil since 2009. Other recent incidents include an airliner clipping another in February while taxiing at the Seattle airport. In March, an American Airlines plane caught fire after landing in Denver, sending 12 people to the hospital. And there was also the deadly sightseeing helicopter, which broke apart and crashed into the Hudson River.

Federal officials have tried to reassure travelers that flying is the safest mode of transportation, and the Associated Press reports that multiple statistics support that. But a Skift research survey conducted after the Air India crash found that 51% of Indian travelers actively avoided certain airlines due to safety concerns. Thirty-five percent of American travelers surveyed also avoid certain airlines for the same reasons, according to the survey. Skift also found that while there hasn’t been a significant uptick in the number of safety-related aviation incidents, they have become more widely reported in the media.

But that doesn’t mean improvements can’t be made. ​Southwest Airlines just announced that it’s adding a new cockpit alert system to help its pilots avoid dangerous situations, after carriers navigated a series of close calls at U.S. airports in recent years. The Honeywell-designed system delivers verbal warnings and text alarms if a pilot is about to use the wrong runway, for example, or take off from or land on a taxiway.

Marijuana to Treat Autism?

Parents desperate for treatments say cannabis helps, but doctors urge caution

It was just last fall, when doctors announced that two major studies found no link between prenatal cannabis use and early childhood disorders. But now, recent studies have actually found promising results with cannabis reducing symptoms in autistic children.

While medical marijuana is prescribed for everything from cancer symptoms to epilepsy to chronic pain and even dementia, its use in children with autism is more controversial. After all, we know regular use of THC in adolescents can negatively impact their developing brains and lead to a higher risk of mental-health problems. But, as the Wall Street Journal points out, recreational and medical use of marijuana are quite different. These patients aren’t getting high—their families and doctors are intentionally avoiding that by strictly regulating and individualizing the dose.

The latest findings say that CBD cannabis extract use shows moderate improvements in social responsiveness and small yet notable reductions in disruptive behaviors and anxiety. It also improves sleep quality. All things that would be welcomed by both parents and their children alike.

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