Seeking Solitude

Why You Need It And Where You Can Find It

Blaise Pascal said ‘all of humanity’s problems, stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone’. It’s so true, we literally cannot sit in a room and be left alone with our own thoughts. There is so much non stop noise coming at us from all directions, all day, every day, it’s no wonder we can’t sit in a room alone with our thoughts. Just think about all the notifications, text messages and emails we receive on a daily basis, it’ never ending. With the hectic nature of today’s world, it can feel near enough impossible to find a moments peace, a moment of solitude.

But, these precious moments are so desperately needed and immensely beneficial.

The Need For Solitude

“I never found the companion that was so companionable as solitude.” — Henry David Thoreau

We are always sub-consciously abiding by society’s rules and norms. We like to think that we are not, but the truth is we very much are. It’s exactly why we need to find more time and space for solitude.

Here are a couple of reasons why you need more solitude:

You get to know yourself better

The more alone time (solitude) you allow yourself to have, the better you get to know who you are. Spending time in solitude means there are more opportunities for self exploration, trying new things and understanding exactly what you enjoy and what you want?. It’s a freeing kind of feeling.

Many people say they want to get to know themselves better, but how can you expect to understand yourself better if you don’t spend any time with yourself in the first place? The short answer is you can’t.

You Can Focus More On Yourself

Spending sufficient time in solitude with yourself means you’re able to spend more time focusing on the personal things what truly matter to you e.g. the side project you want to work on, hobbies etc. You can work towards being the person you want to be and MAKE progress towards the things you wish to achieve. Spending time focusing on yourself isn’t selfish, it’s a crucial aspect for your own personal development. Time alone creates space for you to come up with your own perspectives and ideas without the influence of other people, increases productivity and has even been proven to improve mental wellbeing.

How To Find Solitude

Franz Kafka said ‘It isn’t necessary that you leave home. Sit at your desk and listen. Don’t even listen, just wait, be still and alone. The whole world will offer itself to you’. To find solitude doesn’t mean we need to jet off to the other side of the world to have a ‘break’ or to live like a monk, it can be found right in front of you. You just need to know where to look.

Get Up Early

Early mornings are the best. Getting up early means you can get a head start before the rest of the world begins to wake up and the chaos of day to day life unfolds. Some of the worlds greatest people, past and present, are huge advocates of waking up early. For example: multi billionaire businessman Richard Branson, CEO of Apple Tim Cook and the great Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius are all believers in rising early.

For a lot of us, early mornings are probably the most convenient easiest way to find some moments of solitude. Give waking up early a try, you’ll thank yourself for it.

Go For A Walk — Get Moving

There’s something about exercising which quietens down the mind. Exercising gives you the chance to escape for a short while. It gives you the chance to spend some time with your all important self, not to mention all the health benefits to go with it.

Grab A Coffee Or A Meal Out By yourself

Sitting in a coffee shop and having a meal by yourself seems to carry a negative stigma. Whilst it might seem a bit weird to have a date for one it’s a great act of self care and developing a better relationship with yourself. It will probably seem a bit weird when you first try it, but you never know, you might end up loving it.

Think of solitude as volunteered loneliness, a way to spend time with you and you alone, a chance to connect with yourself.

Remember this: the only relationship which is guaranteed to last a lifetime is the one you have with yourself.

Go find your solitude because you’ll be thanking yourself for it.