You have succinctly wrapped up something that I have failed to explain so, so many times to people. The timing if you publishing this article is great, as I'm a day removed from going through this exact cycle due to some work-related issues that came up yesterday. Recovery from failure is something that I do not excel at, and there are many people that do not have or understand this brooding period, or state of loneliness and self-denial as you put it. I find it be a period of reflection and internal recovery, though perhaps there is more to it than that. It is frustrating to others that provide encouragement in my moments of failure, as it is not something that I respond well to despite their best intentions. Have you (or anyone else here) put any thought into the best way to describe the necessity of that to others?