Intentional Time Spent in Solitude: Healthy for Your Soul

I used to practically be ashamed of my need for solitude. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve said yes to social things and later regretted it, or felt terribly guilty whenever I said no. Sounds like a no win situation right? The reality is my personality not only needs solitude, but thrives on it. It’s really how I get my energy and how I recharge. But lately, it’s provided me with something more and that’s what I’m telling you about today.

When googling solitude the definition comes up, “the state or situation of being alone”. What I’m talking about today is intentional time spent in solitude, not sitting on the couch watching Netflix. If you my friend are an extrovert, social butterfly, and always love being around people person, you may be wondering what solitude can do for you. I think if we would study exceptional people throughout history we would probably find that they all spent time in solitude. Why is that?

Clarity

Solitude brings clarity. If you are struggling with a difficult decision or are just trying to think something through-I encourage you to spend time in solitude. For me, I have got the most clarity from time spent in solitude. Intentional time spent sitting on my yoga mat, sometimes eyes closed, or sometimes thinking deeply and concentrating on a difficult decision to be made or something specific I am trying to become more clear about. Sometimes also, just sitting there in silence and noticing what thoughts come to me. I’ve found that time spent in solitude and not directly focusing on my situation, challenge, or decision to make, the answer actually rings clear to me almost like magic.

Creativity

I know I’ve touched on this subject before but honestly my creativity is at it’s best when I’m spending intentional time in solitude. Sometimes I can’t possibly type on my notes app fast enough for the ideas that come to me about blog posts, book ideas, candles, ideas in general for this brand Start Going Further. If I spend no time in solitude throughout a week or so, I notice a dramatic nosedive in my creativity output.

Comfortability with Self

I think that solitude brings about a sense of comfortability with self. Do you truly know yourself? Do you like yourself? If you aren’t comfortable with yourself, spending time in solitude is a great way to get there. I think that it is healthy and necessary for us to all be comfortable with some time spent in solitude, no matter our personality type.

In the Spirit of Adventure,

Demie