Additional Coverage:
- The older I get, the more I enjoy spending time alone. I regularly take myself on solo dates. (businessinsider.com)
Local Woman Finds Peace in Solitude
As a young girl, the idea of being alone was terrifying. It felt synonymous with loneliness and being somehow flawed.
High school was particularly challenging, struggling to form close friendships and often feeling isolated. Lunchtimes spent hiding in the library were a stark reminder of this social disconnect.
Even at university, surrounded by a good group of friends, solitary moments like walking to class or eating alone brought on feelings of self-consciousness.
Something shifted with age. Making friends became easier, perhaps due to the experiences of traveling in her twenties and the shared journey of parenthood.
Now, at 39, with a supportive network of friends, a family, a thriving business, and aging parents, life is a constant balancing act. The quiet solitude once dreaded is now craved.
Embracing alone time has become a form of self-care. Simple pleasures like a quiet breakfast with a newspaper or a solo hike in the hills surrounding our town bring a sense of peace and rejuvenation.
Silence has become a precious gift, and her own company, the most cherished. This isn’t a reflection on loved ones, but a recognition of the importance of personal space for recharging.
A recent solo trip to the cinema highlighted the unexpected connections solitude can foster. Moved by a poignant documentary, she found herself sharing a moment of empathy with another moviegoer, also alone. A simple gesture of comfort created a brief but meaningful connection.
Solitude, once a source of anxiety, is now a source of strength. It provides the space for reflection, creativity, emotional regulation, and inner peace. And sometimes, it opens the door to unexpected and heartwarming connections with others.