Solitude, unlike isolation, is an enjoyable time spent alone. You can use it to discover who you are, what you believe, and what you should do with your life.
βIn solitude, the mind gains strength and learns to lean upon itself.β
β Laurence Sterne
Moreover, studies show that people who embrace solitude are happier and have more mental strength.
Not to mention, you could have profound, life-changing ideas brewing in your soul right now. But, if you never spend time alone, you might never realize them!
You deserve to create your reality and stop forcing yourself down the path others laid out for you.
What can you gain from solitude?
βAll manβs miseries derive from not being able to sit quietly in a room alone.β
β Blaise Pascal
Thereβs a myriad of advantages solitude offers that socializing doesnβt. However, some people will do almost anything to prevent spending time alone. Thus, they remain stuck on the wrong path in life forever.
They obsess over social media and gossip. Or they play music to block out any silence, therefore ensuring that they never hear their own thoughts.
Furthermore, these habits decrease their ability to be alone.
βWhen we cannot bear to be alone, it means we do not properly value the only companion we will have from birth to deathβourselves.β
β Eda LeShan
If you avoid solitude, youβll feel anxious and depressed when youβre by yourself. But it doesnβt have to be this way!
Here are a few proven reasons to embrace solitude:
1. Solitude breeds creativity
βTalent is nurtured in solitude β¦ A creation of importance can only be produced when its author isolates himself, it is a child of solitude.β
β Johann Wolfgang Von GΓΆethe
Itβs in solitude that pure creative genius is born! Because othersβ ideas do not influence you, you have to develop your own.
So, when youβre alone, youβll discover a myriad of new ideas and inspirations. Famous musicians, artists, and geniuses spend countless hours alone working on a project or fine-tuning their skills.
βConversation enriches the understanding, but solitude is the school of genius.β
β Edward Gibbon
Also, some artists or writers retreat to remote cabins in the wilderness to work. Removing societyβs distractions allows them to explore and be more playful and free. The perfect ingredients for creativity to flourish!
2. Solitude makes you a more influential and powerful leader
βThe mind is sharper and keener in seclusion and uninterrupted solitude. Originality thrives in seclusion, free of outside influences beating upon us to cripple the creative mind. Be aloneβthat is the secret of invention. Be aloneβthat is when ideas are born.β
β Nikola Tesla
If you dream of being an entrepreneur, you must get used to being alone. In many companies, the leader is an intensely solitary person. Also, those who work by themselves are considered more stable, intelligent, and respectable.
Solitude gives them the time to focus on what matters to others. So, it has massive benefits for you and for those you lead.
3. Solitude builds your confidence
βI myself am best when least in company.β
β William Shakespeare
Being around people influences how you think and behave. So, you can lose yourself in others. Eventually, you start thinking like them and acting like them!
But, when you spend time in solitude, something incredible happens. You start thinking for yourself. Then you can discover what you truly believe and how you want to live your life, regardless of what others think.
Furthermore, spending time alone is essential to learning who you are. You get to know, and you become comfortable with yourself. As a result, this breeds unbreakable confidence.
4. Solitude gives you a break from the chaos of society
βNowhere can man find a quieter or more untroubled retreat than in his own soul.β
β Marcus Aurelius
Interacting with people can be like a chess game because we always watch others and choose our reactions based on social norms. Then, some people play mind games, and thatβs a massive waste of time and focus.
As a result, constant immersion in society can be stressful and a colossal distraction. But, solitude calms you down so you can focus on whatβs important.
5. Solitude gives you intense focus.
βBe a loner. That gives you time to wonder, to search for the truth. Have holy curiosity. Make your life worth living.β
β Albert Einstein
Having the ability to sit and concentrate is vital for your success. If you always feel lonely and try to distract yourself from that emotion, itβll be a challenge to finish things. Even if youβre listening to music or have the TV on, theyβll pull at your attention. In contrast, solitude will allow you to focus and collaborate with your thoughts.
6. Solitude allows you to plan your life
βWithout great solitude no serious work is possible.β
β Pablo Picasso
You can get to know who you are when youβre alone if you take the time to examine your life. Then you can sort out what you need to do, reflect, create goals, and check your progress.
Ask yourself:
- Whatβs important to you?
- What are your goals?
- Are there any changes or improvements youβd like to make?
- What bothers you every day?
The answers are within you, but you need to spend time with yourself to find them.
7. Solitude helps you to heal
βSolitude is the great teacher, and to learn its lessons you must pay attention to it.β
β Deepak Chopra
Scientists confirm that solitude is therapeutic. However, people tend to distract themselves from their problems during stressful times, when theyβd be better off searching within to fix them.
For example, during World War II, psychiatrist Viktor Frankl was captured by the Nazis. They imprisoned him in Auschwitz (a concentration camp). But, Viktor was still able to find peace by escaping into solitude. Even while surrounded by death and torture, he survived and lived a healthy, happy life.
8. Youβll be more independent
βIt is better to be alone than in bad company.β
β George Washington
Itβs important to bond with others, but itβs just as important to have time with yourself. Moreover, if you can increase your ability to be alone, youβll strengthen your mental well-being. Also, youβll have the confidence to not rely on others for your self-worth.
Youβll make better decisions about who you hang out with and wonβt tolerate anyoneβs negativity!
Here are some ways you can embrace solitude today!
You can experience solitude today, ideally, in a quiet and distraction-free environment. So, scheduling time for it, even 10 minutes, can be beneficial.
Try these tips:
- Wake up a little earlier to drink coffee and write out what you need to do that day.
- You could also walk alone and admire nature while listening to the wind blow through the trees.
- Have a spare moment? Sit in a quiet room and write.
- Put on noise-canceling headphones, and donβt listen to anything but your thoughts. Enjoy the silence.
Although, Iβm not saying you should sell all your stuff, move to the woods, and hunt squirrels. Being around others can be beneficial, but itβs about balancing time with yourself and others.
In short, solitude will make you a better leader, more creative, and even help you get through rough times. Moreover, time spent alone lets you return to society with more confidence!
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So, how will you embrace solitude today?
Wow! What a write! Reblogging to my readers at sister site Poetic Justice
Great! Thank you!
My very great pleasure
Thanks for this inspiring and useful post! Another part of solitude that i enjoy is reflection. Looking back at previous challenges and life experiences helps me see the road ahead.
Youβre welcome, Trent! Reflection is a great advantage of solitude! As long as you keep it positive.
I am always Alone but never Lonely.
Itβs Just Me, Myself and I.
But l Love It.
I Am My Best Company.
I Thrive In Solitude.
I love it too.