Time alone (solitude) is such an important thing that less and less people are utilizing. To be clear, I am not talking about loneliness (feeling alienated from others). I am talking about choosing to be isolated which is proven to have great benefits. A 2021 study of 2,035 people across the United Kingdom examined what people learn and gain from spending time alone. The researchers compared there measurements of well-being, including self-determined motivation and peacefulness. Researchers found that 22.8% of adolescence, 54.7% of adults, and 53.8% of older adults experienced a greater sense of autonomy while alone. On top of this, the researchers identified that self-growth was a major theme that developed out of time alone (Among adults, 61.6% said that self-growth was a benefit of time alone). Participants described using solitude as a time to think about where there life is going, organize there thoughts and evaluate if they are on the right track.¹
NOW, take a moment to reflect on your own life. How much time do you spend alone? Are you someone who is simply "to" busy to be alone? Are you afraid to be alone? Research has proven that spending time alone can have a positive impact your life allowing you to fulfil it. I can tell you from my own experience that time alone has had a great impact on my life. For example, almost all of E. North by Ross was built by myself and alone. It gave me the best chance to think and self-reflect on my ideas. If you are struggling to find who you are, where your going, or even how to start "that thing" spend some time alone.
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¹Weinstein N, Nguyen T and Hansen H (2021) What Time Alone Offers: Narratives of Solitude From Adolescence to Older Adulthood. Front. Psychol. 12:714518. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.714518
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