HackerTube
HomeLongsLikedHistoryWatch laterCategoriesPlaylistsSettings

How To Be Alone

Andrea Dorfman6 HN recommenders · recommended in 5 months, 2010-2026
YouTube
10.1M views · 16 years ago · other · evergreen

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.

HN commenters point lonely people to it as a moving, comforting piece of art about getting comfortable with solitude.

Literature & writing craftPsychology & human behaviorVisual arts, photography & architecture#poetry#loneliness#solitude#animation#tanyadavis

6 comments from Hacker News

@forrestpitz2026 · in “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

RecommendsView on HN
@idealboy2026 · in “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

RecommendsView on HN
@ptrklly2022 · in “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.

RecommendsView on HN
@barbs2015 · in “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

RecommendsView on HN
@paganel2013 · in “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.

RecommendsView on HN
@fleitz2010 · in “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

RecommendsView on HN
Your elusive creative genius | Elizabeth Gilbert19:29

Your elusive creative genius | Elizabeth Gilbert

TED
5.4M views • 17 years ago
Brené Brown on Empathy2:53

Brené Brown on Empathy

Royal Society of Arts
24.1M views • 12 years ago
Loneliness13:07

Loneliness

Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell
28.1M views • 7 years ago
I have APHANTASIA (and you may too...without realising it!)12:54

I have APHANTASIA (and you may too...without realising it!)

JAMIEvstheVOID
8M views • 8 years ago
Ira Glass on Storytelling 35:21

Ira Glass on Storytelling 3

warphotography
146K views • 17 years ago
Nuggets5:06

Nuggets

Filmbilder & Friends
37M views • 12 years ago
You aren't at the mercy of your emotions -- your brain creates them | Lisa Feldman Barrett18:29

You aren't at the mercy of your emotions -- your brain creates them | Lisa Feldman Barrett

TED
3.2M views • 8 years ago
IN-SHADOW - A Modern Odyssey - Animated Short Film13:00

IN-SHADOW - A Modern Odyssey - Animated Short Film

SPELLBREAKER Studio
7.7M views • 8 years ago
It's Not About The Nail1:42

It's Not About The Nail

Jason Headley
30.2M views • 13 years ago
RSA ANIMATE: Smile or Die10:23

RSA ANIMATE: Smile or Die

Royal Society of Arts
2.5M views • 16 years ago
RSA ANIMATE: Language as a Window into Human Nature10:54

RSA ANIMATE: Language as a Window into Human Nature

Royal Society of Arts
1.6M views • 15 years ago
This Is Water by David Foster Wallace Full Speech22:44

This Is Water by David Foster Wallace Full Speech

Joe Mita
1.8M views • 13 years ago
Ira Glass on the Creative Process (www.getoutthebox.org)1:55

Ira Glass on the Creative Process (www.getoutthebox.org)

Getoutthebox1
1.9M views • 15 years ago
Identity After Authenticity: Abigail Thorn's Profile26:05

Identity After Authenticity: Abigail Thorn's Profile

Carefree Wandering
219K views • 5 years ago
RSA ANIMATE: The Secret Powers of Time10:09

RSA ANIMATE: The Secret Powers of Time

Royal Society of Arts
4.4M views • 16 years ago
The surprising science of happiness | Dan Gilbert21:20

The surprising science of happiness | Dan Gilbert

TED
4.7M views • 14 years ago
Music and Life - Alan Watts2:23

Music and Life - Alan Watts

seandulac
2.6M views • 19 years ago
How to start a movement | Derek Sivers5:42

How to start a movement | Derek Sivers

TED
2.2M views • 16 years ago
Your Body Language May Shape Who You Are | Amy Cuddy | TED21:03

Your Body Language May Shape Who You Are | Amy Cuddy | TED

TED
29.4M views • 14 years ago
29/31 by Garfunkel and Oates3:00

29/31 by Garfunkel and Oates

Garfunkel And Oates
5M views • 14 years ago