“Loneliness is the poverty of self; solitude is the richness of self.”
Author and Poet May Sarton eloquently speaks of the power of solitude that impacts people of all different walks of life going through varying seasons of solitude.
Whether going through a devastating breakup, job transition, the loss of a loved one or another major life change, moving into a period of solitude can be heartbreaking and confusing and can produce feelings of misalignment and mistaken identity.
Sometimes, though, periods of solitude are exactly what you need to hack your greatness as a party of one. From maximizing your rest to getting new business tips—seasons of prioritizing yourself can mean great things when working on yourself.
American business magazine Inc.com wrote that a science-backed report can show that even setting aside 10 minutes a day can do wonders for the brain, mind, body and more.
In the Inc.com article, 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do, it’s noted that while it’s crucial to spend time with other individuals having too much “people time” could potentially be detrimental.
“Your health and well-being depend on having time alone. But as a therapist, persuading clients to spend time alone themselves can be challenging,” psychotherapist Amy Morin said in the article, adding that some people who spend significant time by themselves feel like an outcast. “Many people who enter my therapy office are already feeling lonely. And there’s evidence that says loneliness is becoming a health epidemic.”
However, being alone and feeling lonely are quite different things. Even when there are many people there, many still feel lonely. Yet, while some people spend a lot of time alone, they never feel lonely.
We all know that great things come to those who wait but great things also come to those who learn to thrive in the season where they are standing tall alone. Some benefits Inc.com reports include:
Getting to know yourself
You make decisions while you’re by yourself since there are no outside influences. You are free to decide how to spend your time without considering how others may feel. You’ll gain more understanding of who you are as a person by exercising your own judgment when making decisions.
You’ll also learn to feel more at ease in your own skin by spending time alone. The more self-aware you are, the easier it will be for you to be yourself among other people.
Spending time alone might enhance your relationships
Time spent with friends, family and coworkers helps to foster a “we vs. them” mindset. You’ll unintentionally come to have less empathy for people who don’t belong in your inner group since you’ll perceive them as being different from you.
These restrictions are removed with alone time. Research has shown that scheduling alone time helps you grow more compassionate toward others. Here are some ways that resonate the most:
- Creativity and productivity are enhanced by solitude.
There’s a good reason why creative people like musicians, writers and artists like alone. They can be more creative in a private setting, whether it’s a quiet studio or a log cabin in the woods. Research has shown that solitude frequently encourages creativity.
Alone time increases productivity in addition to creativity. Studies repeatedly demonstrate that individuals do better when they have privacy (which means open floor plans make terrible work environments).
- You can plan your life when you’re alone yourself.
While it’s important to have shared objectives with your spouse, children or coworkers, you also need to make sure that you’re living your best life on your own. Be proactive in making plans for your life, just as you may make plans for retirement or a trip.
Setting aside time for solitude can encourage reflection on your objectives, desires and dreams. Consider whether you are living your life following your principles and whether making some changes when you take a break from the hustle and bustle while living in this season of being solo doesn’t have to be complex.
Now, putting your feet to do the work once alone is a game changer, too. Just ask solopreneur, business coach and wealth-building guru Pamela Hilliard Owens, who built her business from the ground up working solo.
Hilliard Owens helps many people, in particular independent writers, creatives, and solo professionals, who come to her when they want to “maximize their branding, marketing influence and authority-building reach.”
“I help creative, solo professionals and small business owners throughout the United States, Canada, the U.K. and 12 other countries to set up, grow and maintain their businesses, make successful decisions and plans that will put them on the right path to success,” she said of her business, Global Creative Community Branding and Marketing Academy (GCCBMA), which helps many people in their season of solitude stretch themselves to their next level.
Whether one is looking to improve their life for the better or getting more serious about their coins, living in a season of solitude can help repair the soul (and pocketbook) in more ways than one.
To benefit from isolation, you don’t need to set up huge blocks of time. Just 10 minutes a day of alone time can do the trick. Whether it be a business plan, future endeavor, accomplishment or budding success story, think about positive ideas that go beyond just words of affirmation to transform your light and life.
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