Photo by Katerina Kerdi on Unsplash
I almost never heard this word from the people that I am meeting each day. Everyone has this “FOMO” or Fear Of Missing Out that they would rather join other people as they are afraid to missed any moment rather than find some quiet time and be with themselves to have solitude.
The social media such as Instagram has become a spotlight center for most people that makes other people felt that they have to do something in order to show to the world. And this perfectly contradicts the idea of having a solitude.
Your phone become an extension of the world at your fingertips, whenever you feel not doing anything you have instant urge of clicking your phone. Do you still a lot some time to think about what matters to you? That’s the main that solitude can bring to your life if you started practicing it on a regular basis.
Let’s deep dive what Solitude is and why it really matters.
WHAT IS SOLITUDE?
According to psychology today;
Solitude is the state of being alone without being lonely. It is a positive and constructive state of engagement with oneself. Solitude is desirable, a state of being alone where you provide yourself wonderful and sufficient company.
Solitude is a time that can be used for reflection, inner searching or growth or enjoyment of some kind. Deep reading requires solitude, so does experiencing the beauty of nature. Thinking and creativity usually do too.
It is being a lone but not being lonely. Is an intentional way to remove all other distractions around you and just focus about yourself.
Solitude suggests peacefulness stemming from a state of inner richness. It is a means of enjoying the quiet and whatever it brings that is satisfying and from which we draw sustenance. It is something we cultivate. Solitude is refreshing; an opportunity to renew ourselves. In other words, it replenishes us.
In this world full of information and a fast paced environment, we need more than anything to stop and take our time to process our thoughts. We are being bombarded by all information that we don’t necessarily need. We are forced to do something that we didn’t had any chance to process and have a thought if it really matters to us.
Solitude brings order and peace for you to see yourself clearly by having an alone time and having a deep thought about what really matters for you. This is outside the influence of anyone and any social media information that significantly influences us.
WAYS TO FIND SOLITUDE
1. Get up early
“Lose an hour in the morning, and you will be all day hunting for it” – Richard Whately
Waking up before the world gives you an extra time to prepare your mind and have your “thinking time”, most people who practice this gives them more clarity on their purpose.
Not only that, it also allows you to have your quiet time that helps you think about your life and silence the daily noise of work, job, errands that you have to face.
Last year, I had this morning routine of waking up early and drinking my coffee while staring at the early morning sunrise. It is a very relaxing and calming experience each morning to have deep thoughts about my priorities and plans for my life.
This also prepares myself in thinking what matters the most for the day.
2. Run, walk or bike
“Running allows me to set my mind free. Nothing seems impossible. Nothing unattainable.” – Kara Goucher
Physical exercise is solitude’s best buddy. When you strap on your shoes or climb onto your bike and leave the house to explore the world, your mind quiets and you get a new perspective on your life and all of its complications. You can’t get this sitting at a desk.
You can also try listening to podcast or ebooks (listening about “life” topics) while walking or running. This gives you a zen feeling and makes you think deeper about life while your body is physically involved.
3. Journalling
“Journal writing, when it becomes a ritual for transformation, is not only life-changing but life-expanding.” – Jen Williamson
Journalling is one of the best ways to have your quiet time, this gives you time to process and sort your thoughts and understand what happened during the day or week.
I also considered this to be a more creative and organize way of thinking as you are able to right it and process those thoughts that you are thinking. Check this blog for more details on the benefits of this habit.
Conclusion
In a world of overstimulation, solitude allows us to silence the noise and give ourselves time to reflect on our deepest thoughts, emotions and values. Practicing solitude is not just about being alone but also allowing yourself to be you and your best version.
Start putting down your phone each day and a lot a few minutes to think and process your thoughts. Learn to slow down and silence the noise of the world. Practice solitude.
Vir Glarea 