Solitude sucks. As individuals with a growing tendency to regard isolation with negativity, we often neglect that it is the moments spent alone that truly galvanize one's creative mind. With the accelerating rush of today's world, we find ourselves trapped in the turmoil of suffocation. For many, solitude is air - a fresh burst of air to the polluted environment of never-ending thoughts we create in our minds.
I prefer being busy over boredom. While planning my week, I pack my schedule with as many work and personal events, lectures and duties as I can to ensure that I'm not alone and overthinking in silence. I like to relate to the popular millennial term – ambivert – the perfect amalgamation of an extrovert and introvert. As much as I love catching up with old friends and hanging out with new pals, I've only recently discovered how much I enjoy my own company. Spending time alone has allowed me to view matters in life from a different perspective and analyse my take on concerns around me.
I'm not telling you that you should keep to yourselves for the majority of your day. Exploring new places, socializing with people with different walks of life is pivotal to one's holistic development. Think of it this way – After a busy morning of meetings and classes followed by an afternoon of constant conversations, do we really need to schedule a get-together every evening? In a fight to combat loneliness at the end of the day, have we forgotten the importance of self-care and recharge? Taking the time to rewind, talking to yourself and reflecting can be revolutionary for your mental health. Solitude can be your primary catalyst for rejuvenation.
Initially, being left to your own thoughts and devices for a prolonged period of time can be daunting. In the long run, however, solitude is liberating and will allow you to venture unseen parts of yourself with a clearer thought process. Good company is important. But, become your own best friend before being someone else's.
Take that walk back home alone. Ride the subway alone. Drink that morning coffee by yourself.
Take a few steps back. Are you happy with who you are? Are you content with the status of the relationships in your life? Are you satisfied with your journey as a human? Take the time out by yourself to ponder upon the answers to these questions. At the end of the day, we are our own people and no one else should be given the burden of our happiness and good mental health.
We must learn to appreciate, improve and celebrate our identity alone.
We must learn to seek solace in solitude.
