When I hear the word “solitude”, I picture a quiet room with sunlight streaming through the windows and with a chair, and table covered with art materials and a notebook and pen. Everyone’s ideal of a place to spend some time in solitude will be different – but each one will be a space where we can be truly ourselves, relax and breathe. Being alone can be unwelcome, barren, depressing, but it can also be an opportunity to recharge.
That’s why The Solitude Project, which began five years ago, is focusing on how central solitude can be to wellbeing. During these years the Project’s team has surveyed thousands of people globally, and come to understand a wide range of experiences and views on being alone. Inevitably, some are positive, others negative. Even how people identify solitude varies hugely. Is it literally being the only person in a house, a room, a wood? Can you experience solitude in busy public places or in a group (think of the success of silent book clubs)? After all, if you live in a city, you’re likely to be surrounded by others, never to be entirely alone – so it’s just as well that many people feel they can experience solitude even in a crowd. This way it becomes more inner space apart.
Thinking about what usually boosts wellbeing, it’s no wonder that solitude can help. Feeling fulfilled, feeling purposeful, doing things that matter to us, having time to be ourselves, can all be important in different ways. And solitude can foster them all. Many of us feel we can think more clearly and focus more closely on a task when alone. Take art and creativity, known to be fulfilling activities. Time on your own is ideal to experiment and concentrate, without feeling distracted or rushed. Whatever you want to do, time alone can be time to dedicate to whatever you have in hand, time to set aside.
Obviously we are all different in how we want to spend that time apart. Would you prefer silence, or music? Silence has long been thought to be beneficial to wellbeing, calming and stilling our minds – although it can be an issue if you struggle with overthinking. Music’s positive impacts on wellbeing are also well known, so what is best? Be flexible, vary what you do, but don’t neglect silence in today’s noisy world.
And what about productivity? Some people are more productive alone, others in a team or group – one of the issues raised by the growth of hybrid and home working. Bouncing ideas off each other can be productive, and some people struggle to motivate themselves alone. But others feel they get through more on their own.
The Solitude Project was founded to research “positive solitude” – its experiences and benefits, such as a greater feeling of autonomy – independence and empowerment. It isn’t about solitude being the best or only way – instead, it highlights most people’s need to balance solitude and companionship – but it’s a helpful and thought-provoking view of solitude as a human need.
Solitude can open up space to dream, to play, to do and to be. Time for rest and renewal.
Do you agree? It would be good if you’d like to share experiences or thoughts in Medley’s Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/359291215486002 Thank you!