In a world where day to day lives are heavily influenced by constant stimulation, the practicality of solitude has become a thing of the past, and I think that is a shame.
Ever since reaching an age of maturity and cognitive consciousness, almost if not all of my leisure time has been occupied by some sort of entertainment.
Many, I’m sure, feel the same bombardment of constant stimulation, whether it is through social media, listening to music/podcasts, watching TV, etc. It is a way to fill a void, though I believe that void is what many people could be benefiting from.
That void is solitude, and with the epidemic of chronic screen usage, the act of being alone with your thoughts seems like a sacred luxury.
Waiting for class to start? Instagram. Eating by yourself? YouTube. Laying in bed? TikTok.
It is everywhere in our lives, and it always finds a way to convenience itself whenever we need time to ourselves.
Weeks ago, in an effort to be on my phone less, I experimented with spending 30 minutes a day alone in silence. This helped me discover that being alone has led to a plethora of benefits in my day-to-day life.
I make sure that I give myself those 30 minutes before starting homework, and every assignment this year has been nearly effortless. Whereas in years past, I would find an excuse just to avoid doing homework. I attribute that difference to my mind being free just in time for me to study.
Whenever going to bed, I used to scroll on my phone until I was tired enough to fall asleep. Now, by allowing myself a break from stimulation, going to bed feels easier, and I find myself going to bed earlier.
Allowing myself time to spend in solitude has helped me feel more in control of my life. While scrolling through social media, my mind is actively thinking about nothing while at the same time working hard to enjoy the entertainment.
In my 30 minutes of solitude, all of my thoughts catch up to me. With that, I can solve any ailment or follow through with ideas that would typically be put off.
During solitude, I adhere to no societal pressures, I don’t set aside my worries, and I am not wearing a mask that is social media. It is my own thoughts, ultimately, that have led me to discover an inner-peace that was unbeknownst to me up until this point.
In a world where people are on their phone while walking to class, or scrolling through feed while class is taking place, it seems evident to me that solitude is underutilized amongst college aged people.
I will advocate for anyone to find time in their days to just relax, with only themselves and their thoughts, without any distractions. Solitude, done right, can be one of the most rewarding and real-life experiences.
Categories: Opinion
