Seeking Solitude: 17 Ways to Find Time for Yourself | PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement

In today’s world we have loneliness, but rarely solitude. Western culture tends to portray anyone who wants solitude as being anti-social or unhappy. But, as I’d like to argue, getting more time by yourself can actually increase the quality of your communication. Instead of surrounding yourself with the crowd, you can focus on having real conversations.

Why Spend More Time Alone?

Staying connected at all times seems to be the addiction of the 21st century. Instead of having real conversations and social interactions, people are just filling up their alone time with noise.

If being disconnected for a few days or even a few hours gives you shivers, it’s probably because you haven’t learned how to be comfortable with your own silence. But if you can fully appreciate just being with your own thoughts, you can fully interact when you’re with people. Here are a couple other reasons to carve out more time for yourself:

Improved productivity. It’s amazing what a few hours of uninterrupted work can accomplish.

Time to think. Your brain is your best tool, but how can you use it properly when being constantly distracted?

Lead your own life. If you’re constantly part of the group, you’ll do what the group does – even if it doesn’t reflect who you want to be.

Pick your own friends. If you’re willing to spend time alone you can be more choosy with who you spend time with. Instead of settling for people that dull you mentally and drain your energy, you can pick friends that engage you.

Inner peace. There is a reason monks spend so much time meditating alone.

via www.pickthebrain.com