For some, time alone is considered to be downtime.
For others, time alone is considered to be the time of their lives.
At some time throughout your life, you’re more likely to experience both, depending on the phase you’re currently passing through.
Nonetheless, one undeniable common denominator on solitude is that no matter what you’re going through, you’re more likely going to know more about yourself more than ever during times of solitude.
Here’s how that happens:
1) Solitude teaches patience
People who end up spending more time alone are more patient dealing with circumstances in life. They understand that time is sacred – that every moment spent in reflection is much more powerful than a moment given towards a reaction.
In addition, patience is typically a sign of maturity. The real blessing of spending time alone teaches oneself how to seek a greater understanding of themselves. That allows for healing and spiritual rejuvenation.
2) Solitude helps with trusting your inner voice
The amount of reflection and deep thinking that happens during the time spent alone is imperative to build trust within oneself – which ultimately leads to higher self-esteem and confidence.
Being alone allows you to let go of your “social guard”, giving you the freedom to be introspective – to really think for yourself. You may be able to make better choices and decisions about who you are and what you want, without any external influence.
3) Solitude allows for one to get comfortable with themselves
As you spend more time alone, you go through a lot of self-exploration. You start to really understand yourself and befriending everything that allows you to feel a sense of bliss and joy.
As young children, we’d get carried away and delve into activities by ourselves before sometimes bursting into tears – in need of a guardian – a sense of shelter and safety. Nonetheless, in the pursuit of self-discovery, we have always loved the activity of exploring “things” in the world.
The reality is that we do get comfortable with ourselves once we are able to connect and ground ourselves away from distractions. Spending time alone forces us to be mindful of our surroundings, aware of our feelings and connected with our intentions.
You’ll know you’ve made the most out of this blessing once you no longer feel the need for validation from others. That, in itself, is a nitro boost for your confidence and emotional wellbeing.
4) Solitude will eventually conquer your inner critic
“When people are experiencing crisis it’s not always just about you: It’s about how you are in society,” explains Jack Fong, a sociologist at California State Polytechnic University who has studied solitude.
He adds, “When people take these moments to explore their solitude, not only will they be forced to confront who they are, they just might learn a little bit about how to out-maneuver some of the toxicity that surrounds them in a social setting.”
In solitude, you will not find loneliness, but self-communion, a coming together of the light and the dark aspects of yourself.
While solitude may be seen as terrifying to many, it may well be what you need to reflect back on any discontent or disconnection you may feel anytime throughout your life.
You deserve no less than a wholesome life where you feel a deep sense of fulfillment and purpose being alive in this world.
Give yourself the gift of your own time and energy – there’s nothing more worth it.
Our Favourite Quotes on Solitude:
Usually we regard loneliness as an enemy. It’s restless and pregnant and hot with desire to escape and find something or someone to keep us company. When we rest in the middle of it, we begin to have a nonthreatening relationship with loneliness, a cooling loneliness that turns our usual fearful patterns upside down.
Pema Chodron
I have seen many storms in my life. Most storms have caught me by surprise, so I had to learn very quickly to look further and understand that I am not capable of controlling the weather, to exercise the art of patience and to respect the fury of nature.
Paulo Coelho
I live in that solitude which is painful in youth, but delicious in the years of maturity.
Albert Einstein
A man can be himself only so long as he is alone; and if he does not love solitude, he will not love freedom; for it is only when he is alone that he is really free.”
Arthur Schopenhauer, Essays and Aphorisms
It’s your road and yours alone. Others may walk it with you, but no one can walk it for you.
Rumi k
The greatest thing in the world is to know how to belong to oneself.
Michel de Montaigne
In order to understand the world, one has to turn away from it on occasion.”
Albert Camus,
Cherish your solitude. Take trains by yourself to places you have never been. Sleep out alone under the stars. Learn how to drive a stick shift. Go so far away that you stop being afraid of not coming back. Say no when you don’t want to do something. Say yes if your instincts are strong, even if everyone around you disagrees. Decide whether you want to be liked or admired. Decide if fitting in is more important than finding out what you’re doing here.
Eve Ensler
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