Discover the power of solitude
How Solitude Can Improve Your Creativity, Productivity, and Emotional Well-Being
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The power of solitude in your life has positive points, contrary to what you might believe. There are times when we need to slow down and just be with ourselves. In addition, a very common phrase in Brazil could even be used: "better alone than badly accompanied".
Writing itself is a solitary process, perhaps with some rituals for some, for others, it's just sitting down and writing. At this very moment, after meditating for more than two hours after lunch, I passed a "bucket" of coffee*, put on one of the playlists I like to listen to and write and I'm here doing what needs to be done. I am using the power of solitude to do something that gives me immense pleasure.
* the "coffee bucket" is to say that it is a large amount.
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How to use the power of solitude to your advantage and be more productive
“Loneliness is one of the main factors responsible for making people isolate themselves”, says journalist Daniela Costa Teixeira in her article. It was published on the CNN website on May 2, 2022. However, not so much heaven and so little hell, because everything too much is bad. There are even benefits, or there is the power of solitude at work in your life.
Self knowledge;
Creativity;
Power of solitude in autonomy;
Rest and recovery;
Stress reduction.
Obviously, I am not a parameter for anything, because less than a year ago I proudly said a sentence attributed to former president João Figueiredo (1918 - 1999). Namely president of the Tupiniquim nation (Brazil) from 1979 to 1985:
“I prefer the smell of a horse to the smell of people”
This statement was supposedly said in a conversation with journalist Carlos Castello Branco (1920 – 1993), in 1991. However, there are no official records that it was actually said by Figueiredo.
We can't think that we need to be surrounded by people all the time and completely fill our time with productive things. Just like many false gurus, influencers, and the like who want to shove us down our throats.
But Daniela also says: “because it is a feeling, loneliness varies a lot from person to person”. What works for me might not work for you, although I do believe we need to have our alone time.
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Self knowledge
Mainly if you want to develop yourself, specifically your behavioral and human side, you cannot escape self-knowledge. And there is no way to do a serious work of intimate and reflective analysis on yourself, without allowing yourself to be alone.
After all, this is a time when you will have to undress the masks you use to please others and be willing to emphatically put your finger on the wounds. But wipe the smile off your face, it's your wounds I'm referring to and not those of others.
It will be in solitude that we will have more time and space. As well as reflecting on our personal beliefs, values, desires, and goals without external distractions.
Criatividade
If you, like me, depend on creativity to work and there are times when the impression is that you have a creative block, there are two things to be done: follow the tips that Austin Kleon, in his book “Steal like an artist”, or believe that the power of solitude can help you in this task.
The two tips are diametrically antagonistic, that is, the author advises going out to see people, being in the middle of a crowd, or sitting in a cafe. Because seeing this movement will help to get out of creative inertia.
On the other hand, loneliness can also stimulate creativity. That is, it allows us to immerse ourselves in our thoughts and ideas without being influenced by the opinions or expectations of others.
Power of solitude in autonomy
Here I will speak for myself, it is my opinion, but I believe that we human beings tend to be always looking for the approval of others. And again, I was a person who did absolutely nothing without having an ok from a third party, it seems that was what I needed to validate or not feel guilty about something I would like to do.
The occasion forced me to be thrown into solitary confinement against my will, but today I see it as a lesson - you must know yourself better. In my case, being a Gemini, it was me the other personality and our other selves.
“I hope the psychiatrist doesn't read it: but I was never alone, because I always talked to this whole group inside my head.”
But playfulness aside, when we force ourselves to be alone, we develop more confidence and independence. It's not an easy process, but solitude helps us make decisions more clearly and trust our abilities.
If you prefer, it is “Darwin's Law” at work. That is, an expression commonly used to refer to the theory of the evolution of species proposed by Charles Darwin in the 19th century.
Rest and recovery
Just as loneliness can be harmful, after all, “people need people”, a phrase that, if I'm not mistaken, is often used by Ícaro de Carvalho, and that statement is not wrong. Here also applies that phrase that you may have heard from your mother, where "everything too much is bad".
You won't be able to be productive all the time and much less always surrounded by people. On the contrary, not only your physical body, but your brain needs moments of rest and recovery. So the power of solitude is a form of rest and recovery for the mind and body.
It's the time when we can relax and disconnect from the stress of the demands of the outside world. Now, whether you do it in the fetal position on top of the bed or letting yourself be under the waterfall, the choice is yours.
The fact is: you need this time. A walk on the grass barefoot or with your feet up while having a good coffee is also valid.
Stress reduction
One of the powers of solitude is precise to help you reduce stress. And just so you know, “the chronic situation of stress can trigger chemical and structural changes in essential areas of our brain”, says João Paulo Bezerra. In an article dated January 12, 2022, on the Brainlatam website, with the title “Stress kills us little by little”.
The affected areas, add the biomedical engineer and post-graduate in Neuro engineering, are the “hippocampus, prefrontal and visual cortex, even leading to the death of neurons”.
Finally, solitude can help reduce stress and anxiety. When we are alone, we have more control over our environment and can avoid situations that cause us discomfort or tension.
Find your strength in solitude
So, if you've come this far, and you're one of those people who like to say that they're always connected to 220v, it's interesting to start considering taking a step back. Just like having moments of your own, enjoying the noise of silence to be able to renew your energies.
And every day I am more sure that at any moment and situation, there is a good side and a bad side. We have to learn what has to be ignored (or else it doesn't make sense to us). Just like, the power of loneliness in our mental and physical health is undeniable. And you, did you imagine being able to have so many benefits like this in solitude?
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If you think coffee can improve my mood, I’ll take a Ko-Fi. Maybe it helps, it’s true.
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I think most writers like a lot of solitude. Many of us are introverts by nature. Myself, I can also be very social at times. It’s important for me to have a balance of both. Well said Fernando!