At times, it feels like all of life is one big popularity contest. While forming lasting friendships can be important for our mental health, it's also important that you can live with yourself and enjoy it.

For Richard Thomas, being alone was a rarity. In fact, he seemed to prefer it that way.

"For me, 'aloneness' was something with which I had never become acquainted," said Thomas during an interview with the Ventura County Star. "When I was young, my parents and my brother and sister were always around. I even went with my mom and dad to rehearsals when they worked as ballet dancers. Then there was school, which, of course, was always a group experience. And then came The Waltons."

But while many find themselves surrounded by people when they find fame, Thomas found himself strangely isolated, as he was separated from his family for the first time when he left to begin filming The Waltons.

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Richard Thomas loved acting in television, despite its reputation

"It wasn't easy on me, because I like to have someone around with whom I can discuss the events of the day," said Thomas. "And at first, I found I was surrounding myself with people - sometimes people whose presence added nothing more than the fact that they were there."

It was a long process, but Thomas eventually learned that not only was being alone tolerable, but downright beneficial. "Lately, I've been forcing myself to spend time alone, to concentrate on my writing. I can't afford to waste time. There's just too much to do."

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