I need to qualify my last post a bit. I wrote that I didn’t know what to write and that’s why I haven’t posted in a while. What I meant to say there was that in the past year I have been bombarded with information. Much of it was new to me and much of it conflicted with stuff I already believed. It took me a while to crunch through it all. The best way I know to do the crunching is in solitude.

Solitude is one of those things that people these days don’t get enough of, in my opinion. Life is just too busy. Bills, kids, 10000 TV channels, and twitter just keeps peoples’ schedules full. But solitude is probably one of the most enlightening activities there is. Really, it is my preferred activity most of the time. While I do enjoy hanging out with friends and being around people, for the most part I just love being by myself. I read an interview with Derek Sivers a while back where he basically said the same thing and I was relieved because I thought I was the only weirdo who prefers to be alone. Nothing brings clarity like some quiet, alone time.

I use solitude to reflect, absorb, plan, recover, or just plain enjoy. I do it anywhere, preferably outdoors. Sometimes I’ll just go and read a book at a cafe or go to the library. Sometimes I’ll enjoy a meal somewhere or go watch a movie by myself. Sometimes I will people watch or just stare at a tree. That alone time does wonders. Even just doing everyday chores like folding the laundry or grocery shopping alone can bring about that magical recharge that only solitude brings. I liken it to a good workout, some yoga or meditation, or a relaxing jog.

We are overstimmed in this crazy world we live in. A little bit of alone time is the cure. Being alone without being lonely is the key. This isn’t loneliness I am talking about. If you can’t spend some time by yourself without feeling alone you got issues, mang. Get that checked out, maybe. This isn’t what I’m talking about. I’m talking about that rich, beautiful, inner peace and quiet that comes out only from being completely ok with being by yourself. It brings a sense of balance back into your life that not many other activities can do. It offers a type of introspection that allows you to form your own thoughts. To not multitask. To not be good at following the pack. To be awesome.