Technology has ensured that we are always connected to the rest of the world, so we ourselves need to ensure occasional solitude. Are we ever truly alone? Not really. Technology has ensured that we are always connected to the rest of the world. It has made interaction just a click away, making the world much smaller. At the same time, we see daily encouragement for collaboration and movements related to it in every aspect of our work and life. Popular words abound: groupthink, teamwork, engagement, and so on. The idea of the solitary genius is fading, and collaboration is the new queen. These movements have overshadowed one of the most important parts of our lives – solitude.
Solitude is not loneliness
As Nikola Tesla said, “Be alone—that is the secret of invention: be alone, that is when ideas are born.” The power of solitude should not be dismissed. Unfortunately, our culture has transformed the idea of solitude into a kind of eccentricity that a well-adjusted individual should not experience. In this case, we are talking about solitude, not loneliness, although the difference may seem blurred. Nonetheless, solitude has much to offer in all aspects of our lives, and every individual should make a conscious effort to experience it regularly. Despite all the external factors that distract us from the opportunity to be alone, we should strive to have such moments because they are invaluable. Here are just a few of the many benefits that arise from solitude.
Creativity
Being alone allows you to be with your thoughts and discover your own voice. In moments of solitude, you uncover your true identity and way of expression. You are free from any interruptions or external opinions. It is your own voice alone. Creativity flourishes in solitude. It enables you to delve into ideas, focus on problems, think outside the box, and delve deep within yourself and your imagination in a way that is not possible in the presence of others.
Self-understanding
At the same time, solitude provides you with the perfect opportunity to be alone with yourself and truly understand who you are. Being alone with your thoughts can reveal much about yourself that you wouldn’t otherwise grasp. Gaining a deeper understanding of yourself will help you in all aspects of your life. Not just for yourself, but also for others. The better you know yourself, the better you can be a partner, friend, and individual in all other relationships. Furthermore, this understanding can be applied to everything you deal with: your fears, your struggles, your demons – everything can be understood with a little time for reflection.
Renewal
A significant part of the benefits of solitude is that it gives you the opportunity to relax and recover from daily stress. Your daily commute, sleep routines, distractions, people, and much more have an invisible impact on your life. Over time, this can wear you down, breaking your will, your inspiration, and your values. Stepping away from it all allows you to break the cycle and recover from your typical routine. It enables you to ground yourself, rediscover your goals, and remind yourself of what is important in your life. Having this space will make it even easier to face the grind when you return.
Productivity
We’ve all heard about the great artist or writer who escapes to the highest mountain or a deserted lake to get their work done, far away from all distractions. They do it because it truly works. When you have a clearly defined task that requires focused attention, solitude is the best way to achieve your goals. It’s certainly easier to get the job done when you don’t have a phone call, a meeting, or a notification constantly competing for your attention. In those situations, your full attention can be directed towards the task at hand. Clearly, solitude is a valuable practice in life that we all need to enable for ourselves more often. The question is, how can we do it in today’s world? It sounds great, but actually achieving it can be a bit challenging. In reality, you can find solitude anywhere; you just need to make an extra effort to do so. By paying attention and maximizing the moments of silence in your day, you can find solitude on a daily basis.
And just one cautionary note. The goal is not to be alone all the time. There is value in interaction and collaboration, but there needs to be a balance. Currently, it seems that we have veered away from this balance and become overly connected. So, try to carve out some time for yourself and be alone. You may discover that it’s much more enjoyable than you thought.
How to Find Solitude?
There are two main approaches that can help you find solitude. The first is to create a bunker. Yes, that’s right. You need to isolate yourself from the rest of the world when the opportunity arises. Here are a few examples:
- Close the office door for an hour.
- Arrive at work early, when there’s no one around.
- Take lunch breaks alone.
- Go for daily walks by yourself.
- Stay up late or wake up early at home.
The point is to seize those opportunities to be alone with yourself. A crucial part of this is disconnecting from technology. While we naturally have moments of solitude throughout the day, they are often consumed by technology. So, for this to truly work, you need to remove it from the equation. Turn off your phone, laptop, iPad, or TV, or whatever you have, and just be.
The second approach, which is not only more enjoyable but also more beneficial, is to escape from it all. Instead of shutting yourself off from everyone, just create some distance between yourself and others. Go on a trip, take a vacation, hike, climb mountains, or camp by a lake. In this case, you’re simply trying to get away from civilization. If you can embrace this approach, just keep these points in mind to make it worthwhile:
- Give yourself enough time, make it a meaningful getaway.
- Go somewhere that will bring you peace; nature is a great starting point.
- Leave technology behind; it’s crucial for solitude in any situation.
- Let your mind wander and explore your new environment.
The journey should primarily be about solitude. Don’t set high expectations that you’ll have the next big idea, write an entire book, or figure out your entire life. You may achieve all of these, or you may not, but the true value lies in the practice, not the outcome.
