Solitude

Solitude can be a good thing if we need that time to be creative and productive. Solitude is often seen in a negative light, because it implies that someone doesn’t have friends, or that they don’t have anyone to talk to. But in reality, solitude is what is needed to create art, to write, to read, and to work on ideas (unless it is in collaboration with people).

Even at work, some people prefer to work alone so that they can focus and get things done. It’s nothing personal against anyone. It’s how they operate–function. They need it to get into the headspace of ideas, and for novelists, that mental space where stories and characters come to life. If someone is an artist, they need solitude to draw, paint, and to fix or improve the minute details of their work.

Of course, absolute solitude is not ideal. There are times where we need a break, to talk with others, to learn from them or to relax in their company. Solitude is something we need to balance in our lives, something that we need to reflect on our goals, ideas, and projects. We can’t work 24-7, of course. We also need to enjoy life with family and friends as well.