Solitude is a term used to describe the state of being alone without being lonely. It is voluntary, self-imposed and also suggests being at peace away from distractions.
Many people who live in big cities yearn for solitude every now and then. This is because the city life is nerve-racking, with human and vehicular movement capable of driving one into some degree of frustration. You may even have a pile of books that you need to read and you just craze that me-time to finish them all.
Solitude is generally believed to be good but it is in fact a two-sided coin.
Pros
- Solitude provides you the opportunity of enjoying your own company and for self-discovery.
- It allows us to discover who we are and what we like. It gives us a chance to listen to our inner selves.
- People who enjoy being alone have a knack for independent thinking such as developing original idea.
Cons
- Social stigma accompanies solitude especially in places like Africa and Asia where communal life is common. It is easily mistaken for being lonely.
- These people have chosen to be alone because they dislike other people or have strong anti-social tendencies.
- You can easily get addicted to the lone time that you may intentionally sabotage romantic relationships to get away and be alone.
- Seeking solitude in deserted or secluded places can be a high security risk. For instance, writers who seek private residences for their work need to do due diligence about the area and internet connection to be able to call for help in an emergency.
