When you're down, do you feel better being alone or surrounded by people?

A natural way to answer

It really depends on the kind of low I'm in. If I'm just tired, company helps and takes my mind off things. But if something's genuinely upset me, I'd rather be alone to process it before I open up to anyone.

Key phrases to use

• hole up — to shut yourself away somewhere, often to be alone“I just want to hole up at home this weekend.”
• face the world — to be ready to deal with other people and daily life again“I need a coffee before I can face the world.”
• open up — to talk honestly about your feelings“It took him a while to open up about what happened.”
• jolly you along — to keep someone cheerful and encouraged, sometimes in a forced way“He kept jollying me along when I wanted to give up.”
• put on an act — to pretend to feel something you don't really feel“I'm tired of putting on an act for everyone.”