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Life is becoming more complex with the rapid evolution of technology. Stress levels among people are increasing at an alarming rate with the growing aspirations and expectations of the people.
Companies demand a lot from their employees to overcome tough competition, which is only possible by being innovative and creative in delivering goods and services.
In this process, employees experience workplace fatigue, which leads to higher stress levels. Employees also want to prove their worth and survive by going the extra mile.
It is in this context that solitude is the need of the hour to break the stress, anxiety, monotony and boredom.
What is loneliness?
People often confuse loneliness with isolation. In reality, it is not. Loneliness is a state of being alone for a short period of time where there will be no physical contact with other people.
It’s like taking a break once a week, completely avoiding routine work. It’s also like taking a short vacation.
Just as people choose to fast without eating to give their internal system a rest, they also choose solitude to give their mind a rest for some time.
Loneliness versus Solitude
People often use the terms loneliness and isolation interchangeably, but there is a fine line between the two. Loneliness is a negative state, while solitude is a positive state.
Solitude helps one engage internally with a healthy thought process as a companion. Loneliness reflects the lack of something in life. It represents isolation.
Solitude exhausts the mind and body, while solitude restores. Solitude is bitterness, while loneliness is sweetness. To put it succinctly, solitude is chosen, while solitude is imposed.
“The time I spend alone is when I shut out the voices of the world so I can hear my own.” — Oprah Winfrey
The merits of solitude
- It’s the best way to get to know yourself.
- Eliminate clutter and purify your mind, thus improving your concentration.
- Helps overcome stress levels.
- It helps you dig deep within yourself and bring out the best.
- Helps improve self-awareness, self-control and self-discipline.
- It helps to recover lost energy. It also generates new energy and enhances creativity and innovation.
- It helps you explore yourself analytically, thus improving your personality to achieve overall success.
- It replenishes your energy and helps you move forward with confidence and optimism.
Loneliness is strength
When you do routine things you get bored. So, it is time to go to solitude for self-analysis and introspection. When you want to do things differently, it is time to go to solitude.
People go to beaches and spend time in solitude listening to the waves of the sea, as it provides solace and strengthens willpower.
History reveals that several great leaders preferred solitude when they were in trouble. In the epic Mahabharat, at the end of the battle of Kurukshetra, Duryodana immersed himself in water to remain calm for a while and also to absorb new energies.
It was a kind of solitude. Saints and sages go into solitude to search for themselves within. They go to a serene place and enjoy a state of solitude. Therefore, solitude is strength.
People should spend some time alone every day. Staying healthy physically, mentally and spiritually should be seen as an investment and an expenditure of time.
Few companies offer sabbatical leave to their employees who work for a certain period of time. It helps them relax and return to work with renewed energy.
In short, it is essential for individuals and institutions to resort to solitude on a regular basis given the increasing uncertainty and complexity due to rapid technology.
