We live in a world that is constantly pushing for more.
We want more time, more money, and more success. We want to do everything better, quicker, and with less effort.
But what is often overlooked in these hectic days is solitude. The importance of spending quality time with oneself is often overlooked.
Anthony Burgess once observed, “To be left alone is the most precious thing one can ask of the modern world.”
The need for solitude is becoming more and more critical as we become accustomed to constant connection.
Solitude is not the same as being lonely. Solitude is the opposite of loneliness.
Solitude is the space between the noise of everyday life when all is quiet. It’s about being alone with ourselves without distraction or interruption.
Productive solitude is about being focused, calm, and happy while you do things like read, write, or take a walk.
Productive solitude is vital because it helps you feel less stressed and more satisfied with your work. It’s also the only way to get anything done.
Most people may view solitude as desirable, but they also see it as a burden or a necessity. It’s a necessary part of the creative process, and many people feel that it’s essential for their mental health.
Others might not want to be alone because they fear what will happen if they fall prey to their negative thoughts.
If people constantly surround you, it may not be easy to find the moments of solitude you need to unplug, disconnect, and spend time alone with your thoughts.
In solitude, you are content with your own company: you think, contemplate and ponder without overthinking. And you can even do your best work.
Blaise Pascal once said, “All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone.”
Many people fear the silence of nothingness or idleness. They would rather choose to occupy their finite time consumed in distraction.
A critical part of self-discovery is learning to be alone
“The more powerful and original a mind, the more it will incline towards the religion of solitude.”― Aldous Huxley
Practiced well, solitude can improve mental clarity and focus — it can provide a chance to think about life, reflect on the past, and plan the future.
Here are three reasons why you should learn to spend more time being alone and with your thoughts:
- Solitude will teach you to be comfortable with your own thoughts, emotions, and experiences.
- It teaches you how to create space for yourself and others.
- It allows you to reflect on yourself and become more self-aware, better understand who you are, and even gives you time to heal from complex events.
Make solitude a positive experience. Being alone is not always a bad thing.
In fact, many people find themselves feeling more self-aware and grounded after spending time by themselves.
Sometimes the experience of being alone can provide you with an opportunity to reflect on your thoughts and emotions.
It also provides a chance for introspection.
“Guard well your spare moments. They are like uncut diamonds. Discard them and their value will never be known. Improve them and they will become the brightest gems in a useful life,” says Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Here’s how to make the most out of your downtime;
— Find a mental escape: Choose a book, movie, song, or activity that allows you to focus on something other than your thoughts
— Listen for what’s going on inside: Learn how to identify the different emotions that pass through you throughout the day by paying attention to your breath and body movements.
— Do things that make you feel good: Take care of yourself by doing things that make you happy, such as working on a side project, going for a walk in nature or making time for exercise routines you actually enjoy.
Productive solitudes are valuable because they make us feel better about ourselves and empower us to tackle tasks with greater ease.
Setting aside time for yourself is essential to recharge and find clarity.
—
This post was previously published on Thomas Oppong’s blog.
***
You may also like these posts on The Good Men Project:
Escape the Act Like a Man Box | What We Talk About When We Talk About Men | Why I Don’t Want to Talk About Race | The First Myth of the Patriarchy: The Acorn on the Pillow |
Join The Good Men Project as a Premium Member today.
All Premium Members get to view The Good Men Project with NO ADS.
A $50 annual membership gives you an all access pass. You can be a part of every call, group, class and community.
A $25 annual membership gives you access to one class, one Social Interest group and our online communities.
A $12 annual membership gives you access to our Friday calls with the publisher, our online community.