8 Advantages Of Solitude And How To Embrace It

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.

“In solitude, the mind gains strength and learns to lean upon itself.”

– 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?

“All man’s miseries derive from not being able to sit quietly in a room alone.”

– Blaise Pascal

There’s a myriad of advantages solitude offers that socializing doesn’t. 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.

“When we cannot bear to be alone, it means we do not properly value the only companion we will have from birth to death—ourselves.”

– Eda LeShan

If you avoid solitude, you’ll feel anxious and depressed when you’re by yourself. But it doesn’t have to be this way!

Here are a few proven reasons to embrace solitude:

1. Solitude breeds creativity

“Talent is nurtured in solitude … A creation of importance can only be produced when its author isolates himself, it is a child of solitude.”

– Johann Wolfgang Von Göethe

It’s in solitude that pure creative genius is born! Because others’ ideas do not influence you, you have to develop your own.

So, when you’re alone, you’ll 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.

“Conversation enriches the understanding, but solitude is the school of genius.”

– Edward Gibbon

Also, some artists or writers retreat to remote cabins in the wilderness to work. Removing society’s 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

“The 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 alone—that is the secret of invention. Be alone—that is when ideas are born.”

— 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

“I myself am best when least in company.”

— 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

“Nowhere can man find a quieter or more untroubled retreat than in his own soul.”

– 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 that’s 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 what’s important.

5. Solitude gives you intense focus.

“Be a loner. That gives you time to wonder, to search for the truth. Have holy curiosity. Make your life worth living.”

— 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, it’ll be a challenge to finish things. Even if you’re listening to music or have the TV on, they’ll 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

“Without great solitude no serious work is possible.”

— Pablo Picasso

You can get to know who you are when you’re 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:

• What’s important to you?
• What are your goals?
• Are there any changes or improvements you’d 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

“Solitude is the great teacher, and to learn its lessons you must pay attention to it.”

— Deepak Chopra

Scientists confirm that solitude is therapeutic. However, people tend to distract themselves from their problems during stressful times, when they’d 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. You’ll be more independent

“It is better to be alone than in bad company.”

— George Washington

It’s important to bond with others, but it’s just as important to have time with yourself. Moreover, if you can increase your ability to be alone, you’ll strengthen your mental well-being. Also, you’ll have the confidence to not rely on others for your self-worth.

You’ll make better decisions about who you hang out with and won’t tolerate anyone’s 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 don’t listen to anything but your thoughts. Enjoy the silence.

Although, I’m not saying you should sell all your stuff, move to the woods, and hunt squirrels. Being around others can be beneficial, but it’s 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?