As the world spins faster and faster—or maybe it just seems that way when an email(real or hoax) can travel around the world in fractions of a second—we need a variety of ways to cope with the resulting pressures. We need to maintain some balance and some sense that we are steering the ship of our life.
Otherwise we feel overloaded, overreact to minor annoyances and feel like we can never catch up. As far as I'm concerned, one of the best ways is by seeking, and enjoying, solitude.
That being said, there is an important distinction to be established right at the beginning. There is a world of difference between solitude and loneliness, though the two terms are often used interchangeably.
From the outside, solitude and loneliness look a lot alike. Both are characterized by solitariness. But all resemblance ends here.
Loneliness is a negative state, marked by a sense of isolation. One feels that something is missing(may be themself). It is possible to be with people and still feel lonely—perhaps the most bitter form of loneliness.
Solitude is the state of being alone without being lonely. It is a positive and constructive state of engagement with ourself. Solitude is desirable, a state of being alone where we provide ourself wonderful and sufficient company.But the problem is when we try to find time for ourself our social obligations will be hindered that is the trade-off.
Solitude is a time that can be used for reflection, inner searching or growth or enjoyment of some kind. Deep reading requires solitude, so does experiencing the beauty of nature ,unless you are michelangelo like. Thinking and creativity usually do too.
Solitude is refreshing; an opportunity to renew ourselves. In other words, it replenishes us.
Loneliness is harsh, punishment, a deficiency state, a state of discontent , an awareness of excess aloneness.
Solitude is something we choose. Loneliness is imposed on us by others[without giving any projects ;) ] .
We all need periods of solitude, although temperamentally we probably differ in the amount of solitude we need. Some solitude is essential; It gives us time to explore and know ourselves. . It renews us for the challenges of life. It allows us to get (back) into the position of driving our own lives, rather than having them run by schedules and demands from without.
Solitude restores body and mind. Lonelinesss depletes them.
There are also incidences where solitude can change into loneliness so we got to be very careful.
But after every session of our solitude we feel juvenated and the worldly problems(whatever it is and how different) seem very easy to handle.Every problem has a solution but finding that, depends on understanding the root/cause/source of those problems.Probably all the s/w testers will agree with me here ;).
