Solitude
28 October 2021
Definition: a state or situation in which you are alone usually because you want to be
sä-lə-tüd, noun
In a sentence: “she wrote her novel in solitude”
Synonyms: aloneness, insulation, privacy, seclusion, segregation, separateness, sequestration, solitariness, isolation
Significance: Self-actualized individuals value their privacy and enjoy solitude. While they also love the company of others, taking time to themselves is essential for personal discovery and cultivating individual potential. Solitude likely represents something completely different for everyone. Solitude is quiet, calm, state of being removed from human activity and interaction. It is not something that can be found on the bustling streets of a big city or a highly trafficked corner coffee shop. It’s deliberate peace of mind sought in the peace and calm of a remote area, or the sanctuary of home. Solitude is often discussed in a negative light, expressing a connotation of loneliness and isolation. Truth be told, solitude is a vital aspect of mental health. In solitude we find answers to questions. We find grounding and solace. The art of meditation occurs in quiet, calm solitude. One of the greatest reasons for seeking solitude is to find the calm and the peace that lies within, that is nearly impossible to locate in the everyday chaos of daily life. This peace leads to grounding and introspection. The act of deliberately seeking solitude is beneficial for our mental health. A profound sense of security may be found in the self that it isn’t found in the illusion of security and validation experienced in the company of others. Due to the fact we live in a socially driven society, it’s vitally important to find balance in the peace and the calm of solitude versus the everyday frantic stream of life’s chaos. Solitude is a place where the answers come to us. When we are calmly in our own heads, thinking, feeling, and simply being, the mind brings us solutions and answers that we didn’t even know we were seeking. In peace and calm, the soul finds its home. In solitude we deliberately connect to our soul. A deeper sense of connection with the universe is found in solitude. For numerous reasons, humanity would benefit from solitude whenever it is available, as opposed to shunning it for the company of others.
