A new genre of influencer is emerging on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, often featuring young women who embrace and showcase a life of solitude. These creators describe themselves not as lonely, but as contentedly alone, opting out of traditional social structures like friendships, family, and romantic partnerships.
One such influencer, Lana Isa, told Vox that her content aims to normalize a life without a large social circle, emphasizing the enjoyment of personal peace and quiet evenings. This trend, however, touches upon broader societal shifts and mental health concerns, particularly for young women.
Faith Hill, a writer for The Atlantic, noted in a conversation with Today, Explained that while the public discourse often focuses on a 'loneliness epidemic' among young men, young women are also experiencing significant struggles, sometimes at higher rates than their male counterparts. "If you actually look at some of these statistics, young women are struggling a lot on a lot of these measures, and, in some cases, more than young men," Hill said.
This phenomenon is complex, with some viewers finding solace and connection through these videos from a distance, while others may be drawn to the fantasy of a life free from social exhaustion. The influencers' portrayals can resonate with individuals feeling overwhelmed by long work hours, caregiving responsibilities, or the constant push for social engagement, highlighting a societal tension between the need for connection and the desire for solitude.
While discussions about men's mental health crises have gained prominence, Hill argues that young women's struggles have been less visible. "Women have, for a long time, reported depression and anxiety at higher rates than men. That is getting worse," she explained. Statistics indicate that young women report higher rates of distress, stress, and suicidality, and attempt suicide at higher rates than men, though men are more likely to die by suicide due to method choice.
Beyond mental health metrics, economic disparities persist. Despite women attending and graduating college at higher rates than men, they still earn less on average, even within the same fields of study. Researchers and therapists report that many young women face a "rude awakening" upon entering the workforce, encountering sexism and realizing they are not always taken as seriously as their male colleagues.
Historically, women have been characterized as enduring chronic issues, with the saying "men die quicker, but women are sicker" reflecting a societal tendency to overlook women's prolonged distress. This has perhaps contributed to their struggles being less of a public news story compared to men's. "I think men having a hard time is more of a news story, and we have become, perhaps, kind of inert to women’s distress in this way," Hill observed.
Despite these challenges, there is a growing acknowledgment of the difficulties faced by young adults across genders. The increasing focus on the struggles of Gen Z, and the recognition that young adulthood is a demanding developmental phase, suggests a societal shift towards understanding and addressing the need for support for this demographic. The conversations sparked by "loneliness influencers" and analyses of women's mental health are part of a larger dialogue about the evolving social landscape and the well-being of young people today.