Solitude, an essential "space"
At first, when I truly found myself alone, I had a really hard time with it 😔. I’ve always said that chosen solitude isn’t a burden, but it’s different when you’re forced into it. However, I realized through this experience that even forced solitude can be very positive.
Indeed, solitude is an essential "space" that allows us to engage in introspection 💭. When you’re in a relationship or constantly surrounded by others, it’s harder to explore your thoughts. The period I spent isolated from everything for several months allowed me to reflect on myself and figure out what I wanted and what I no longer wanted in my life.
Not to mention that solitude gave me the opportunity to develop my passions and have time for myself. It also gives us space to let our ideas flow freely! Even though I don’t endorse the man (here’s why 😅), Pablo Picasso once said something very true about what I’m trying to convey:
"Without great solitude, no serious work is possible."
Developing your autonomy and independence
During the months when I was completely alone, I was surprised to find myself more resourceful than I had thought. Before, I always relied on my partner at the time. A sink to fix? The lawn to mow? A shelf to put up? I would delegate all these tasks that I considered “men’s work.” At the same time, I had a lot of mental load on my shoulders 🤐.
However, the good thing about being alone is that you only have your own mental load to manage, and most importantly, you have no choice but to develop your autonomy by doing things you’ve never been used to doing.
👉 For example, I took DIY classes to become more independent, something I would never have done if I hadn’t been alone. You learn so much more when you’re in a phase of solitude.
👋 You might find this article interesting: Why Do I Constantly Need Attention?!
A great way to master your emotions
Finally, the most beneficial thing I’ve gained from all this is that I’ve learned to control my emotions while being alone. As I mentioned, forced solitude can be very hard on your morale. However, it’s us who give solitude that power 🥺. We can choose and manage the emotions we associate with our life moments. Instead of suffering through it, I decided to embrace it and see it as a moment, a phase, essential for my personal growth.
In therapy, I learned this concept: we are not our emotions. If we’re struggling with something, we can also work on pushing that feeling away and choosing to experience it differently.
Solitude is often seen as something very negative in our society, but it’s a precious ally for our personal growth. It allows us to learn a lot about ourselves, so let’s embrace it. It’s the key to truly overcoming loneliness.
Editorial opinion: Embrace solitude to find yourselfSolitude, whether chosen or imposed, is a precious step in our personal journey. It offers us the opportunity to reconnect with ourselves, develop our autonomy, and better understand our emotions. Rather than avoiding or fearing it, let’s learn to welcome it as a friend in our quest for well-being. It’s in these quiet moments, away from external distractions, that we can hear our inner voice and discover what we need to move forward.
However, it’s important to remember that we don’t have to walk this path alone. Taking care of your mental health is just as essential as cultivating your independence. Sometimes, solitude can bring up emotions or deep wounds that we don’t always know how to handle. That’s where the support of a professional can make all the difference. Consulting a psychologist gives you a safe space to explore your feelings, better understand yourself, and move forward with more peace of mind.
So, if you feel that solitude is weighing too heavily on you or that you need help managing your emotions, don’t hesitate to seek help. Taking care of yourself also means knowing when it’s time to reach out to a professional. You deserve to feel good, at peace with yourself, and sometimes, that starts with a simple step towards someone who can guide you.
🤗 Understand yourself, accept yourself, and be happy... It starts here and now!
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