The Aesthetics of Solitude: The Beauty in Being Alone

"The best is the deep quiet in which I live and grow against the world, harvesting what they cannot take away from me by fire and sword."

(Johann Wolfgang von Goethe)

Being alone can be enjoyable at times. A nice book, some quiet time alone with our thoughts, away from the rush and bustle of daily job and social engagements. However, it can also feel isolated at times. We're not just alone; we're lonely. Why is it that being alone can result in such a wide range of experiences?

What is the difference between loneliness and solitude?

While loneliness and solitude are both based on the same underlying experience, how we respond with that experience produces two distinct mental states.

Loneliness is a frequent but distressing human feeling. Loneliness is a subjective state that occurs when a person is alone and causes a sense of desolation. It's okay to be lonely when it's only temporary. It can be a technique to handle some painful but important sentiments. Loneliness, on the other hand, can be damaging to your health if it becomes a constant state.

And the experience is excruciatingly painful. We are social animals who require a sense of belonging. Loneliness and social rejection, according to researchers, engage the same areas of the brain as physical pain.

That is why knowing more people will not make you feel less lonely. It's a tiring but accurate cliché to claim that we're more connected but simultaneously lonelier than ever. Loneliness in the United States has more than doubled in the last fifty years. Scientists are predicting a loneliness epidemic.

In comparison, solitude is simply the state of being alone. There are no negative sensations associated with the concept of solitude. As a result, it can be both pleasurable and neutral.

The way we view being alone determines whether we feel it as loneliness or solitude. When we focus on our sense of separation from others and the world, being alone can set off a chain reaction of negative thoughts. Being alone can provide significant insights and improve your mental health when viewed as a generative moment of self-discovery and reconnecting with oneself.

Psychological Health and the Ability to Be Alone

Most therapists and psychologists of the last century felt that the ability to create secure connections was the main indicator of psychological health and emotional maturity. Donald Winnicott, a psychoanalyst, was one of the few to criticize this position in the 1950s.

Winnicott claimed in his paper "The Capacity to Be Alone" that an individual's ability to embrace and thrive in solitude should be regarded as a determinant of psychological health.

"It is probably true that more has been written in psychoanalytical literature on the fear of being alone or the desire to be alone than on the ability to be alone; also, a significant amount of work has been done on the withdrawn state, a defensive organization implying an expectation of persecution." It appears to me that a discussion of the benefits of the ability to be alone is long overdue."

 What are the scientifically proven benefits of solitude?

Many people who have mastered the skill of being alone have realized that isolation may be used to foster self-transformation.

Many people today are over-compliant, which means they select a style of life that is demanded of them rather than one that resonates with their inner core. They establish a personality that is mostly aimed to please others while remaining ignorant to their own needs.

Blind to their genuine sentiments and instincts, such people may come to believe that their lives are useless. Instead of embracing life as an experiment to find their actual self, they conform to external expectations and popular opinion.

Seeking solitude to stimulate self-transformation is one technique to escape the confines of an overly obedient personality. Periods of solitude can be utilized to reconnect with your genuine wants and feelings, as well as to reconnect with your inner compass - the only dependable guide pointing you to fulfillment.

It's difficult to imagine fitting in some alone time into our hectic schedules, yet doing so is far from a waste of time. In fact, the busier you are, the more probable it is that you will benefit from some downtime. And study suggests that solitude has numerous advantages, including:

Self-discovery

Researchers discovered that by spending time alone and taking a moment for self-reflection—thinking about our objectives, problems, and self—we may identify and affirm our identities with less influence from other people.

Enhanced creativity

You can be more creative when you are in a private, secluded setting. That is why artists, authors, and musicians prefer seclusion to produce ideas and concentrate on their creative work.

Relationships that are more meaningful

Although it may appear paradoxical, research reveals that being able to feel comfortable on our own helps us become more comfortable around others.

Enhanced productivity

Spending time alone makes you more productive, which may seem like the most counterintuitive benefit of all. Many people operate better on their own than they do in a crowded and noisy office.

enhanced sense of calm and peace

When you close the door to a noisy world, you have space to breathe and the potential for inner serenity. Solitude relieves obligatory pressures, resolves conflicts, and creates a space for cooler heads to prevail.

Something I find fascinating is how, after a long, exhausting day, we frequently select solitary relaxation methods such as writing, yoga, art therapy, aromatherapy, and others. We could do these things in front of people, but do we? In general, the only other people we care about are those we love the most. Otherwise, we normally comfort ourselves alone to obtain peace and tranquility.

Taking pleasure in life's simplicity

In my opinion, solitude and simplicity complement one other. It's simpler to welcome simplicity alone, and solitude comes naturally with a simple life.

The simpler your life, the less likely you are to be stressed. And simplicity allows you to analyze your personal ideals, which is essential for living thoughtfully.

Many of us were compelled to get off the merry-go-round of life due to the pandemic. For me, the social reprieve was welcome. Others were able to spend more time with their families. However, our prior lives are gradually returning. As your life returns to "normal," perhaps you can discover ways to slow down and enjoy simplicity.

improved self-awareness and self-assurance

You can only comprehend yourself and process your ideas and feelings alone, and self-awareness is essential in all aspects of life, from relationships to work to spirituality. Self-awareness provides opportunities for growth, and these elements can also help you create confidence without the judgment of others, allowing you to feel more at ease in your own skin.

upping inner joy

Happiness fluctuates constantly, but inner joy endures. And, while interpersonal relationships might enrich our lives, it is ultimately up to us as individuals to develop and maintain our joy. While spending time alone, take control of your mind and focus on the things that make you happy – both in the short and long term.

Some Recommendations for Alone Time

The good news is that you don't have to devote large amounts of time to isolation to profit from it. Even ten to twenty minutes of alone time every day can help you refresh. And if you believe you don't have time to devote to deliberate solitude, you may need it more than ever.

Here are some ideas for things you could do in your alone time. The purpose of your alone time, whichever you choose to spend it, is to be fully absorbed in the moment, whether you actively think about interesting subjects or let your thoughts wander. The following are some Alone Time tips:

Pick up a new leisure activity

Play some music. Music may be an excellent method to relax and unwind, especially if it resonates with you and fits with your present mental state, which can help you feel more connected to your emotions.

Get a book and read it. Aside from being entertaining and educational, reading a book alone can be a simple way to escape into another world and, if fiction, become lost in a wonderful story.

Try journaling

You can better digest your feelings and thoughts by putting them in writing. The inner workings of your mind can be learned a lot about through journaling.

Take a walk

Walking alone can be a simple method to clear your mind and give yourself time to ponder while getting some exercise. If you can perform it in nature, you get extra points.

Meditate. Meditation allows you to focus on your inner self to discover peace and clarity. It can help relieve anxiety and increase concentration.

Spend time alone in nature

Spending time in nature can help you relieve stress and anxiety, enhance your mood, and increase your sense of contentment and wellbeing. Whatever you call it – forest bathing, ecotherapy, mindfulness in nature, green time, or the wilderness cure – humans evolved in the great outdoors, and a return to nature improves your brain.

You may also try gardening, doing a DIY project, dancing in front of a mirror, yoga, or learning an instrument. Any activity that helps you to enjoy your alone time will help you value those rare moments with yourself.

Or you could just do nothing. Simply think or let your mind roam. If you're not used to being alone, quiet can be unsettling at first. Allowing yourself to be alone with your thoughts, on the other hand, is strong and can be an excellent addition to your mental gym. So, consider carving out some alone time and incorporating it into your regular routine.

Conclusion

Everyone, especially extroverts, can benefit from solitude. It is a priceless resource that should not be overlooked, but rather nurtured with judgment and moderation; it is a skill like any other that requires practice, though some of us may find it more natural than others.

There is a necessary balance between being social and being alone, and this continuum varies depending on individualized needs, personality, and circumstances.

Many people have been greatly affected by the pandemic's seclusion and desire social stimulation. If this describes you, don't be scared to reach out in a safe way to make a lasting relationship with someone. As previously said, there is a precarious balance to be considered. Develop meaningful relationships with others, reach out to someone you know who may be suffering from the effects of isolation, and assist others. These are all healthy strategies to find your balance while also making a difference in the world.