MIDNIGHT THOUGHTS #4 It's Solitude, Not Loneliness

 

 10 October 2020. 1:33 am. Peace. I find peace in my room with the lamplight near my bed still on. I dim the light a little according to my preference. The room is neither too bright nor too dark. I don't feel lonely or anything negative. I love this silence and the darkness outside this room. I take out the small sketchbook hidden somewhere under the bed. And, I start pouring out all the things inside my head. All those thoughts and ideas turned into a beautiful sketch. At this moment, I feel wonderful. It's just me, my sketchbook and the silent world. Nothing seems missing.

" Loneliness expresses the pain of being alone and solitude expresses the glory of being alone." 

                      - Paul Tillich

The major difference between these two states is the way each one of us approaches the topic of being alone mentally. People often get mistaken that solitude is about avoiding being with other people. It isn't. It's about being with yourself. 

Let us say that solitude is a place. Let me describe it- a place where the creative mind can happily and eagerly express itself because you can disentangle from the demands of other people and the world around you. You suddenly free up the mental space to focus on those things that have been seeking your attention for so long.

"The mind is sharper and keener in seclusion and uninterrupted solitude. Originally thrives in seclusion free of outside influences beating upon us to cripple the creative mind. Be alone- that is the secret of invention: be alone, that is when ideas are born."

                           - Nikola Tesla

In simple words, solitude is the state of being alone without being lonely. It is a positive and valuable state of engagement with oneself. It's desirable, a state where you provide yourself wonderful and sufficient company. 

Then how do you describe loneliness?

Loneliness is a negative state marked by a sense of isolation. One feels that something is missing. It is possible to be with people and still feel lonely, perhaps the most bitter form of loneliness.

The Dark Side: 

As much much as solitude sounds good to you, it doesn't go well with some people. This is because all of us think differently which is why some of us might get addict to being alone. This can affect us psychologically. Your solitude might turn into loneliness without you even knowing about it. 

What to keep in mind?

If you like yourself, you will have no problem with being alone. When you accept yourself completely, you'll enjoy having quiet time away from all the external noise. You will feel happy when alone and also when surrounded by other people.

Few get this.

"Solitude is good for great minds but bad for small ones."

               - Victor Hugo

A Blog By Bidisha~

Honestly, I didn't want to add the dark side of solitude but as we all know, everything has its dark side which cannot be ignored every time. 

I believe that the balance of both solitude and social interaction can lead to a better spiritual mind. Only you know yourself better. Figure out what is best for you. 

Mails: patorbidisha12@gmail.com 

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Last week's blog by me: MIDNIGHT THOUGHTS #2 Those Demons Inside You.