Solitude can be positive in our lives if it helps us be creative and productive, but negative if it’s holding us back from social interaction. In the latter sense, solitude is a state of misery, something that we want to get rid of. Solitude in this sense brings about a feeling of isolation and distance. We are social beings. Therefore, we need to talk and share our ideas with people–collaborate with them and learn from them.
On the other hand, solitude can be beneficial if it fosters creativity, productivity, self-reflection, reading, etc. Thus, solitude is something we need, as well as something we need to set aside. We need it to create, reflect, and imagine, but we also need to set it aside to be in the company of people.
Also, we must learn how to be in solitude–to be present in the moment. When we’re present in the moment, we can concentrate and focus with crystal clarity on our thoughts, feelings, and memories. We can reorganize them, shuffle through them, even make sense of them.
If we’re alone and we tune in to the TV or social media nonstop, we’re not allowing ourselves the opportunity self-reflect or to brainstorm. Spending time in silence can slow down everything, put things into perspective. The noise of the world will quiet down, and we can enjoy being still–even finding peace in that.
Fallton Havenstonne 