Why Aloneness Will Reveal Who You Really Are
Have you ever noticed there are moments where you’re constantly surrounded by people, yet somehow you feel a sense of loneliness? Do you find yourself constantly seeking external validation and approval? It might be time to embrace the beauty of solitude and aloneness. Loneliness which tends to have a negative connotation attached to it is much different from aloneness. So, in this article I will uncover how being alone can reveal who you truly are and the benefits of embracing solitude.
What is Aloneness?
Aloneness is literally what it sounds like, the state of being alone. This despite any external distractions, you are still being able to feel content within yourself, by yourself. It's the chance to spend time with your thoughts, and your emotions without the opinions or influence from those around you. Aloneness is not the same as loneliness, which is a feeling of isolation or disconnection from others. Aloneness is a choice.
Discovering Your True Self
When you create space in your life for time alone you essentially give yourself the opportunity to really explore who you are and what you want out of life. You're able to reflect on your thoughts, your wants, and desires without family, friends and co workers influencing your decision.
Jim Rohn famously said, “You are the average of the five people you spend most of your time with”.
This means how your friends often think, feel, speak and act will instantly rub off onto you and as a result will make up the way you also think, feel, speak and act. Energy is transferable, and that’s why it’s so important to embrace aloneness so you can protect yours. Aloneness is a powerful tool for self-discovery and personal growth. When you're alone, you can quite your mind and ask yourself important questions, such as:
What are my values and beliefs?
What are my strengths and weaknesses?
What are my goals and desires?
What makes me happy and fulfilled?
What do I really want out of life
Asking these questions will allow you to gain a deeper understanding of who you truly are and what you want out of life.
Benefits of Embracing Solitude
There are many benefits to embracing solitude and aloneness. Here are a few:
1. Increased Self-Awareness
Because being alone gives your mind the chance to roam free without external restrictions, this can help you gain an increased level of self-awareness, something which is highly beneficial during a journey of self-development, and a better understanding of yourself.
2. Improved Mental Health
Spending time alone can be a great way to reduce stress and anxiety. Aloneness means you're able to focus on prioritising and practising self-care leading to improved mental health and overall well-being.
3. Increased Creativity
Many artists, writers, and musicians find that spending time alone is crucial to their creative process. I always need to be in silence when I’m writing blogs and newsletters or even just thinking of which topics to discuss, I personally find being alone increases my creativity and individual ideas .
4. Improved Relationships
Believe it or not, spending time alone can actually improve your relationships with others. By becoming comfortable with yourself and your own thoughts, you're better able to connect with others on a deeper level. You also have a lower tolerance for BS so much so you find yourself become irritated by which after spending time alone you’ll be able to fish out Additionally, taking time for yourself can help you avoid burnout and show up as your best self in your relationships.
