the importance of daily solitude
Daily solitude, no matter how long you can manage to take, will increase your over all wellbeing. Our culture is accustomed to living in the fast lane and placing importance on a full schedule. No wonder we are anxious and stressed out, we don't take anytime to check in with ourselves. It seems to be race to who can juggle the most responsibilities the fastest.
But what if the secret to being more productive in all areas of life was taking time to just be? I have found that my most profound thoughts or the answer to my latest problem come to me during the times of solitude. Whether it be during a morning routine, a walk to the park, cooking my favorite meal, or just stopping to think throughout the day.
Our inner guiding voice is the most powerful tool we have to be our best selves. But we cannot listen to this voice if we are constantly on the move. When we are reaching for the level of success we've deemed imperative to our persona and ignoring our intuition, we really aren't going anywhere at all. Sure that promotion may bring happiness and losing that ten pounds feels good, but we need to ask what the intentions were behind them. If we keep striving for the next step without appreciating the now, then we will fail to ever reach contentment.
Mindfulness is something that has always been a struggle for me to prioritize. I can get very caught up in my inner world if I'm not careful. I know for most of us it is so easy to pull out our phone or open a new tab in our internet browser when we have a free minute. But taking a couple minutes to check in with our surroundings will grant us greater satisfaction then any new instagram post will. For so long I felt that if I wasn't planning, worrying, or stressing about something than I was somehow failing to be productive. But it wasn't until I learned to just be me in any given moment that the really magic happened. I felt more at ease, more connected to whatever situation I was in, and more aware of what I needed at the moment.
Take solitude breaks throughout the day.
Whether it be at work or at home (with a multitude of ways to be distracted), taking time to pause will help you appreciate the now. If this is difficult at first then try setting a reminder on your phone for every hour to remind yourself to check back in. It can even be as simple as getting up to get a glass of water, chatting with a coworker, or escaping the desk to walk around the block. You may find it easier to stay concentrated during your dedicated work time because you can look forward to your scheduled breaks. These are even more crucial during a stressful work project or facing a mile-long list of tasks. Go take a five minute walk and the motivation you are looking for just may find you.
Try a new sport.
Recently I have been finding myself rethinking what exercise means to me, gravitating towards living actively rather than following a certain exercise routine. In this new found quest I have been enjoying trying new sports and getting out of my comfort zone. Not only is my body challenged in new ways physically, but my mental health is improving as well. Pursuing a new physical activity forces you to live in the moment as you find ways to complete the journey ahead. Two weeks ago I found myself rock climbing in the mountains after I decided to join a friend on a whim. I felt the most present than I have in a long time and an overwhelming sense of accomplishment. It allowed me to appreciate what my body could do and be able to follow my intuition every step of the way. This newly found solitude in the sport was exactly the mental and physical challenge I needed.
Take a walk, sans iPhone.
One of my favorite ways to find some solitude is to tie up my tennis shoes and go for a walk, while leaving all technology at home. I used to go for long runs or walks with my music blaring and reveling in the fact that I could exercise and responds to text messages in record time. But I often found that I would come home more stressed out and anxious than I should have been after exercising. So one day when my mind was really racing I decided to just go and move my body and be with my thoughts. And although this act was so simple, it was truly transformative. It allowed me to really notice what was happening and what I was feeling. I started to appreciate where I lived and the life I have built for myself. The issues that I was stressing about seemed so trivial when I stopped to take account of how far I had come. This is now something I do daily and recognize how important it is to all areas of my health.
Document your gratitude.
Once you make time for daily solitude, you will start to notice just how much you have to be grateful for. You appreciate the job that allows for you to pay the bills, the coworker that has been your mentor, or the healthy meal you took the time to make for yourself. This is what the magic of being present truly means, and you can let the past and future just be what they are. And the last truly important part of this practice is not to let that gratitude go unnoticed! Start to document them before you let the next event spark your anxiety. Write them in a journal, jot them down in your phone, even tell someone else. Just let the world, and yourself, know that you are grateful and are excited for whatever life throws your way. Stress, good and bad, is a part of our modern lives. But the key is to not let ourselves get so caught up in it that we start to believe our stories of doom and gloom. Take that time everyday to connect to yourself and see your self compassion and confidence grow stronger.