Meaningful time spent alone is as essential to our wellbeing. The pace and demands of 21st-century living leave little time for reflection, so opportunities to switch off and disconnect are few. Unless we take action to counteract it, the constant pressure inevitably shapes our lives and not for the better.
Solitude provides a chance to rediscover yourself, and your life. By choosing to step away from the hurley-burley, and other people, you can create moments of rediscovery.
Being alone does not mean being lonely, and we can experience loneliness when in company. We generally don’t choose loneliness and it can be painful.
Solitude, on the other hand, is usually a choice and the experience can be one of joy and deep satisfaction.