Solitude gives me a clearer, freer ( ie. easier), space to experience how I am feeling and if I like how I am feeling or not – , and if not, to ponder what change I would prefer, – and then to try to figure out how to get to that! It’s an important process and I think good to try to practice all the time…. but it’s usually a bit easier in solitude.
Away from outside influence, solitude is a place where one can thoroughly examine their heart and soul without conforming to a societal norm that whispers in their ear. Solitude makes me look at myself and only myself without actively watching and comparing myself to others in attempts to mold myself similarly.
Solitude
can be a gift or a curse,
depending on how it is received.
I have experienced both in my life,
and have been deeply moved . . .
by both experiences of it.
Much of the wisdom I have gained
is to realize
that it is my choice to see it one way or another,
and that I don’t need to sink into the abyss of despair
if I choose not to . . .
I can use solitude to deepen my experience of the world,
and to open up to connection with the Universe,
the Source of all strength,
which is how I handle solitude these days . . .
it is a joy and a balm
and gives me peace.
I have been practicing this for some time now,
but haven’t been fully tested.
I confess
that I enjoy solitude the most,
knowing that I have someone who will come home to me at days’ or weeks’ end.
When solitude is forced on me by circumstances,
as in the past,
I had trouble remembering
that I was not alone.
Older now,
I think/hope I would handle long term solitude better,
as I have more resources,
and am less likely to feel sorry for myself.
I like my solitude and need it. Solitude allows me to pause and rest my brain or work on my challenges. It allows me to discover and find my own joy. I am my own boss of my time!
Granted, humans evolved to be social beings; but some of us simply don’t fit into society. I’ve carried a lot of shame and anxiety my entire life due to feeling like I don’t belong. Recently I’ve been trying to challenge these negative feelings. I’m trying to come to terms with the reality of a solitary life. It’s easy to start feeling bad for myself and blame the outside world for not accepting me; but I want to be rid of the resentment. Resentment only perpetuates my loneliness.
Instead I try to focus on myself and ways that I can improve and be a better person. Not only for others, but for my own happiness and well being too. I want to be done with being a victim and feeling sorry for myself. I want to learn to accept my differences and be open to the world around me. Even if I never “fit in”, I want to at least be useful and kind to others that I encounter in my life.
What wisdom have I gained from solitude?
I’m not sure if this is true wisdom or not, but I have gained some confidence and accomplishment through times of solitude.
The URL for this question has different wording: “gifts received in solitude.” I like that question better so I’m answering that.
Solitude brings me a sense of peace and openness to possibility. Hours alone are mine to fill as I choose. I luxuriate in the quiet a while. At home I might read, write, cook while I listen to music or NPR–all things that nourish me. I find solitude most often when I walk to the nearby forested park. The combination of movement, nature, and solitude brings together things I’ve been reading and discussing and new insights emerge.
One of the realizations I’ve come to over the years is that I’m comfortable being alone. I’m not waiting around for someone to entertain or distract me. The other night on a work trip to Vancouver, WA, I took my Kindle and read while I ate really great deep dish vegetarian pizza and had a small glass of cider, looking out at the waterfront boardwalk and the Columbia River rolling past. At the end the waitress said to me, “You just had my perfect evening.”
I mentioned the joy the other day of spending time out in the world going places with no time pressure or need to align with someone else’s preferences. I do draw energy from being around other people up to a point, but then I need peace and quiet. Years ago when I did one of those personality tests, on the extrovert/introvert scale I was balanced between the two, which feels right to me. I can charge my batteries with people or with solitude for different types of energy.
The first thing I am thinking about as I consider this question is– when do I experience solitude? I think that is mainly in the morning, when I wake up before my husband does and “have the house to myself”. And when I go on walks by myself. The wisdom I gain is more ability to be content and complete within myself. However, I naturally lean towards the introverted side of things, so perhaps for me a more important question to consider is “what wisdom have I gained from community? (or relationships).
This is one question where I gained much perspective and wisdom by reading all of your responses. Like many people here, I write my own response before reading others. I am really intrigued by what several people pointed out about connection with everything being within solitude. It reminds my of a Celtic Prayer that a friend had written out for us in a painting she did for us:
I arise today in the name of silence, womb of the word
in the name of stillness, home of belonging
in the name of the solitude of the soul and the earth.
I arise today blessed by all things
wings of beauty
delight of eyes
wonder of whisper
intimacy of touch
eternity of soul
urgency of thought
miracle of health
embrace of God.
May I live this day
compassionate of heart
gentle in word
gracious in awareness
courageous in thought
generous in love.
Solitude gives my inner voice the ability to speak up. It enables me to be present to my inner voice. To truly listen without distractions leading my mind every which way and actually hear my truth. It’s helped me realize that I’m quite comfortable with my own company, and I shouldn’t get so frustrated with myself just because it’s challenging for me to connect with others.
Solitude requires more than being alone.
It requires putting down my iPad,
and anything else that would distract me
from facing me,
my thoughts,
my fears.
Solitude is a reality check.
It shows me where I am, what I’m prioritizing,
what I’m thinking and what I’m feeling.
Solitude allows me to come back home to myself.
Only then can consciousness begin.
Wishing a conscious and grateful Saturday to all.
♥️
• I need it for my personal growth & restoration.
• I am never truly alone, I have the whole universe inside of me. (Rumi has a quote about this.)
• How important music is to me, especially now as I live alone & spend a fair amount of time in solitude.
• I like it.
Great question, thank you Gratefulness Team.🙏🏻❤️✨
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Solitude gives me a clearer, freer ( ie. easier), space to experience how I am feeling and if I like how I am feeling or not – , and if not, to ponder what change I would prefer, – and then to try to figure out how to get to that! It’s an important process and I think good to try to practice all the time…. but it’s usually a bit easier in solitude.
Away from outside influence, solitude is a place where one can thoroughly examine their heart and soul without conforming to a societal norm that whispers in their ear. Solitude makes me look at myself and only myself without actively watching and comparing myself to others in attempts to mold myself similarly.
I can think more clearly in solitude, so I think I often gain wisdom from solitude.
Solitude
can be a gift or a curse,
depending on how it is received.
I have experienced both in my life,
and have been deeply moved . . .
by both experiences of it.
Much of the wisdom I have gained
is to realize
that it is my choice to see it one way or another,
and that I don’t need to sink into the abyss of despair
if I choose not to . . .
I can use solitude to deepen my experience of the world,
and to open up to connection with the Universe,
the Source of all strength,
which is how I handle solitude these days . . .
it is a joy and a balm
and gives me peace.
I have been practicing this for some time now,
but haven’t been fully tested.
I confess
that I enjoy solitude the most,
knowing that I have someone who will come home to me at days’ or weeks’ end.
When solitude is forced on me by circumstances,
as in the past,
I had trouble remembering
that I was not alone.
Older now,
I think/hope I would handle long term solitude better,
as I have more resources,
and am less likely to feel sorry for myself.
I like my solitude and need it. Solitude allows me to pause and rest my brain or work on my challenges. It allows me to discover and find my own joy. I am my own boss of my time!
I’m discovering that I’m enough.
Granted, humans evolved to be social beings; but some of us simply don’t fit into society. I’ve carried a lot of shame and anxiety my entire life due to feeling like I don’t belong. Recently I’ve been trying to challenge these negative feelings. I’m trying to come to terms with the reality of a solitary life. It’s easy to start feeling bad for myself and blame the outside world for not accepting me; but I want to be rid of the resentment. Resentment only perpetuates my loneliness.
Instead I try to focus on myself and ways that I can improve and be a better person. Not only for others, but for my own happiness and well being too. I want to be done with being a victim and feeling sorry for myself. I want to learn to accept my differences and be open to the world around me. Even if I never “fit in”, I want to at least be useful and kind to others that I encounter in my life.
You fit in here beautifully, Jesse. Thank you for your words.
Most of the wisdom I have gained in my life has come from surrender not solitude.
What wisdom have I gained from solitude?
I’m not sure if this is true wisdom or not, but I have gained some confidence and accomplishment through times of solitude.
The URL for this question has different wording: “gifts received in solitude.” I like that question better so I’m answering that.
Solitude brings me a sense of peace and openness to possibility. Hours alone are mine to fill as I choose. I luxuriate in the quiet a while. At home I might read, write, cook while I listen to music or NPR–all things that nourish me. I find solitude most often when I walk to the nearby forested park. The combination of movement, nature, and solitude brings together things I’ve been reading and discussing and new insights emerge.
One of the realizations I’ve come to over the years is that I’m comfortable being alone. I’m not waiting around for someone to entertain or distract me. The other night on a work trip to Vancouver, WA, I took my Kindle and read while I ate really great deep dish vegetarian pizza and had a small glass of cider, looking out at the waterfront boardwalk and the Columbia River rolling past. At the end the waitress said to me, “You just had my perfect evening.”
I mentioned the joy the other day of spending time out in the world going places with no time pressure or need to align with someone else’s preferences. I do draw energy from being around other people up to a point, but then I need peace and quiet. Years ago when I did one of those personality tests, on the extrovert/introvert scale I was balanced between the two, which feels right to me. I can charge my batteries with people or with solitude for different types of energy.
I need the downtime to balance my anxieties and challenges.
The first thing I am thinking about as I consider this question is– when do I experience solitude? I think that is mainly in the morning, when I wake up before my husband does and “have the house to myself”. And when I go on walks by myself. The wisdom I gain is more ability to be content and complete within myself. However, I naturally lean towards the introverted side of things, so perhaps for me a more important question to consider is “what wisdom have I gained from community? (or relationships).
This is one question where I gained much perspective and wisdom by reading all of your responses. Like many people here, I write my own response before reading others. I am really intrigued by what several people pointed out about connection with everything being within solitude. It reminds my of a Celtic Prayer that a friend had written out for us in a painting she did for us:
I arise today in the name of silence, womb of the word
in the name of stillness, home of belonging
in the name of the solitude of the soul and the earth.
I arise today blessed by all things
wings of beauty
delight of eyes
wonder of whisper
intimacy of touch
eternity of soul
urgency of thought
miracle of health
embrace of God.
May I live this day
compassionate of heart
gentle in word
gracious in awareness
courageous in thought
generous in love.
I love it. Thank you!
Beautiful
That is so beautiful. Thank you for sharing it.
Thank you Elizabeth! This poem is beautiful!! I will write it on beautiful paper and tape it to my mirror to read it every day!
Solitude gives my inner voice the ability to speak up. It enables me to be present to my inner voice. To truly listen without distractions leading my mind every which way and actually hear my truth. It’s helped me realize that I’m quite comfortable with my own company, and I shouldn’t get so frustrated with myself just because it’s challenging for me to connect with others.
“gives my inner voice the ability to speak up”– so well said, Lauryn!
Solitude requires more than being alone.
It requires putting down my iPad,
and anything else that would distract me
from facing me,
my thoughts,
my fears.
Solitude is a reality check.
It shows me where I am, what I’m prioritizing,
what I’m thinking and what I’m feeling.
Solitude allows me to come back home to myself.
Only then can consciousness begin.
Wishing a conscious and grateful Saturday to all.
♥️
• I need it for my personal growth & restoration.
• I am never truly alone, I have the whole universe inside of me. (Rumi has a quote about this.)
• How important music is to me, especially now as I live alone & spend a fair amount of time in solitude.
• I like it.
Great question, thank you Gratefulness Team.🙏🏻❤️✨
God’s got this. I really don’t have to figure it out or understand.