When your life gets so hectic and busy, spending quality time alone may be just what you need to refocus and find inner peace.

When Was the Last Time You Had Quality Time to Yourself?

The past few weeks have been demanding. You worked through the weekend. You have been coming home late. You cannot remember the last time you listened to music or watched TV. Lately, you have had headaches and are becoming impatient and irritable. The stress is draining you.

The demands of modern life can eventually take its toll. A rigorous working environment and the continued drive to excel may affect our relationships, our physical health, and our mental wellbeing.

Although we may not be able to break away totally from our work and family commitments, we can certainly achieve a more harmonious life by simply taking time to find inner peace and enjoy a few moments of solitude.

Benefits of Solitude

Solitude may mean that you will be alone, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that you will feel lonely.

Spending quality time alone refreshes the individual's mental and physical wellbeing. We can achieve this by taking time out from our daily routines and engaging in activities that appeal and nourish us mentally. Solitude need not mean that we need to spend huge amounts of money for a quiet and relaxing getaway.

Enjoying one's solitude can easily take place in a quiet indoor location such as the home balcony or outdoors in a park/beach or around the estate. Or we could start spending more time practising relaxation techniques and engaging in physical activities such as brisk walking, jogging, or cycling.

Clearing Mental Clutter

Mental clutter occurs when the mind is overwhelmed with thoughts on things to do or persistent worries. When the mind is cluttered, the mental tension that builds up can affect our decision-making processes, which may then reduce work productivity and cause misunderstandings in relationships.

Time alone helps bring about clearer thought processes and peace of mind. It is during solitude that we are more focused. Clearing mental clutter—especially negative thoughts—allows you to view things objectively and reduce unnecessary distractions.

Seeking Inner Peace

When some of us are alone, we may have feelings of loneliness. Solitude takes practice. Practising solitude enables us to attune ourselves to more tranquil and relaxing thoughts and feelings, and also brings about inner peace. A sense of peace makes us more aware of our inner longings and real goals, and helps to redirect our energies towards creativity and productivity.

Self-discovery

Time alone allows you to focus on your own needs and reflect on your life. It allows you to think about how you would like to be the person you want to be and the way you wish to set future goals and aspirations. By taking a step back from the structured systems at work and finding your own space, you are better able to rethink past goals or set new ones.

Time alone, in essence, brings experiences of tranquillity and joy which can help you rediscover the true meaning and value of your life.

Below are a few questions to help you in your journey of self-discovery and goal-setting during your time of solitude:

• What do you want to do when there is nobody to impress, no approval to gain, no work to be done and no schedules to be followed?
• What are the most important elements in your life right now that you want to nurture and develop?
• What are the things that make you feel good about and proud of yourself?
• How do you envision yourself five or ten years from now?

Tips

• Time spent alone is beneficial as it refreshes the physical and mental aspects of the individual.
• During solitude, we engage in thoughts or activities that appeal to our inner selves.
• Solitary physical activity like cycling and jogging are good ways of clearing mental clutter and reducing mental stress.