Virginia Thomas is an assistant professor of psychology at Middlebury College. There, she directs a research lab investigating the question: As social creatures, why are some of us motivated to spend time alone, and what are the benefits of doing so? Examining how social media and personality impact the capacity to be alone, Thomas has identified skills used to avoid loneliness and enjoy solitude. She then developed Embracing Solitude, a program that teaches people how to use alone time to improve mental health and find balance in an extroverted, fast-paced productivity culture. In addition to publishing in academic journals, Thomas writes for The Conversation and Psychology Today. She is currently writing a book about the art of solitude.