Branching Out in Solitude

Jul 31, 2021 02:00PM ● By Anand Subramanian

Figure 1 - Understanding ourselves in solitude. Source - Istockphoto

We are naturally social creatures because our predecessors overcame every obstacle in their life by caring for one another and sharing knowledge and resources. We must never forget that our forefathers lived a simple existence in a close-knit community without frequent technology and social distractions. However, in today's world, we are continuously assaulted with delusions of connectivity, which include communication without connection and knowledge without insight. The element of social media has produced an excessive amount of virtual noise in our lives.

It's difficult to hear ourselves think when there's so much noise, and in this 24/7 connection society, the distance between us and our inner selves is growing all the time. In comparison to how effortlessly we see our exterior world, our perception of our inner self does not come naturally. Humility is required to narrow the gap between how we think we are and how we are. Isolation can provide us with opportunities for personal growth. Solitude is a decision that gives independence and space from the pressures and disruptions of everyone else, and in this article, we will discuss the benefits of solitude and how it may help us branch out.

As the world has become a melting pot of information and opinions, every element of ourselves begins to be impacted by those outside perceptions. Our daily obligations and commitments may make our to-do list appear to be endless. This continuous movement hinders us from thinking deeply, which limits creativity and reduces productivity. Whenever we are distracted by incoming information, whether technological or human, it is difficult to conceive effective answers to issues. To communicate with ourselves, all we need to do is develop the discipline of looking within. Solitude becomes a tool for learning more about who we are as individuals. We are not obligated to be a friend or an employee when we are alone; when we are alone, we are our individual self, which allows us to gain a deeper understanding and knowledge about our uniqueness. The more we learn to avoid other influences, the more comfortable and secure we will feel in our authenticity. This assurance will be reflected in the decisions we make in the future and makes us more creative. This is one of the reasons many authors and artists isolate themselves to create, since it allows their minds to roam, allowing them to see things from new angles.

Figure 2 - Achieving calmness during solitude. Source - Istockphoto

When we consider the broader picture, solitude has a spiritual function since it provides us with inner tranquility and allows us to connect with everything in the world. Our hectic lives tend to bury the majority of the emotional pain we experience daily. Things that require our attention seem to surface when we are alone. It offers us the room to deal with trauma and disappointments, which is a healing gift. We tend to acquire empathy and the ability to connect with others on a meaningful level towards the conclusion of that healing process, which also helps us appreciate others in our life more and may assist diagnose difficulties in relationships and identify our actions and patterns.

Figure 3 - Accepting the space during solitude. Source - Istockphoto

Now that we've established the advantages, let's look at how to practice the art of soul seeking via solitude. Let us begin by infusing the habit of getting up early in the morning. During that time, we may create, produce, solve problems, meditate, and do whatever makes us happy. Setting aside some time to disconnect from all electronic media such as phones, the internet, laptops, and televisions is the first step. Once the distractions are removed, we will realize how much more we can do when we disconnect from outside distractions. Millions of ideas begin to flood our heads while we are alone. In such circumstances, it is preferable to begin writing our thoughts, ideas, and viewpoints, since this approach is regarded to be the most effective way to converse with our brains. Such occasions can also help us reflect on our creative barriers and unlearn everything to create a creative channel. We must use this opportunity to express ourselves honestly via our artistic medium. This allows us to produce one-of-a-kind artworks that generally stand the test of time and survive.

Figure 4 - Rediscovery process. Source - Istockphoto

Solitude is the path to greater self-awareness, which ultimately allows for transformation. The key is to emphasize that this alone time is for us – for nurturing our passions, discovering new inspirations, try to get to know ourselves better, or simply participating in some much-needed quiet time. It is difficult to be alone with our thoughts for lengthy periods, but in an age when social connectedness is the norm, it is critical for our mental health to disconnect regularly.

Anand Subramanian is a freelance photographer and content writer based out of Tamil Nadu, India. Having a background in Engineering always made him curious about life on the other side of the spectrum. He leapt forward towards the Photography life and never looked back. Specializing in Documentary and Portrait photography gave him an up-close and personal view into the complexities of human beings and those experiences helped him branch out from visual to words. Today he is mentoring passionate photographers and writing about the different dimensions of the art world.