Solitude

As an only child, I’ve gotten well acquainted with being alone.  I learned to enjoy my own company from the beginning of my time. I was okay with being a “loner”. It’s not to be misconstrued as being antisocial (furthermore, in the psychology world, antisocial has a completely different meaning). I also don’t like to be labeled as introverted because I am capable of enjoying social interactions.  I’ve never had issues forming close friendships; however what I’ve noticed with age is that I prefer not to do so now.

I have those select few close friends that I keep in touch with and then the rest of my interactions are solely family based or work related. It had been wearing on me for some time that the individuals I once considered good friends are now distant counterparts. You know those people that you would interact with daily, but now speak to maybe a couple times out of the year. I came to accept the fact that “growing up” sometimes includes growing apart. It’s nothing personal, we just no longer relate.  In addition to that, I can’t seem to escape the comfort of enjoying alone time. I see no issue in shopping, eating, traveling, etc. alone.  I simply prefer to fly solo with a lot of things.

Something I have come to understand about human interaction is that it can get very exhausting. No really! It can drain your mental energy. There are some days that I come home from work and just want complete silence because I’ve spent the entire day talking or being talked to by someone. Of course this isn’t a complaint about my job; I’m just stating that people can be tiring. At this point in life, I only want happiness, peace, and positive vibes. Not everyone can offer that. I believe in protecting my energy and spirit at all times now.  The downside of that is accepting that even those that are closest to you, are sometimes the people that should be removed from you.  It takes spending time alone to realize and recognize who and what matters the most to your being. It is okay to do things on your own or by yourself.

More importantly, alone time is essential to our mental well-being. When we are able to be one with ourselves and our thoughts, it allows introspection, soul-searching, self-reflection, etc.  Being co-dependent upon other people is toxic.  Solitude allows YOU to connect to the person YOU are growing into. The person you are meant to be. It’s a part of self-evolution. As we evolve, it becomes evident that certain things or people are just not right for us. For me, during my recent times of solitude, I’ve began to “zero in” on the things and the people who offer me no peace. The people that I feel no longer belong with me on MY life journey.

It comes a point when you ask yourself if this current relationship or friendship is better than the peace that I bring myself when I’m alone. When your spirit constantly feels attacked by someone or something, so much so, that there is just no sense of calm then it’s time to remove yourself. Solitude will allow you to reevaluate if those people are really worth your presence. Our time here on Earth is not long and I believe in no way should it be spent surrounding ourselves with negativity. I know that the removal part can be bittersweet especially when memories began to flood your brain. However, it is important in that moment to hold on to how freeing inner peace feels.

That is the point I am currently at in life and in a sense this is a reminder to myself. A “pep-talk” if you will. Simply because I know there can be power in isolation, of course when used wisely and in the right mind frame. Therefore, I’ll continue to enjoy my alone time. My solitude is my peace.

Peace & Love

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