Ever feel that way? Like you just need to be alone, but life makes it difficult sometimes? It seems likely that we crave time alone so that we can consciously process our thoughts, experiences and feelings. Or maybe we need time alone so we don’t have to! :p
It amazes me how complicated we all are. We’re such a jumble of interconnectedness – our brains firing synapses that tell our body what to do, our emotions, thoughts, and responses to our experiences. It seems likely to me that when you just need to be alone, you have to make sure that happens – even if it hurts someone else’s feelings. They will always get over it.
Introverts need time to recharge, and extroverts need time alone too. I’m always worried for people who don’t like to be alone, and need someone with them all the time. To me, that speaks of a great fear of self-reflection, as if they are afraid of what will happen if they are forced to sit quietly in themselves. I just don’t think that’s natural, or healthy. We come in alone, we die alone – getting comfortable with alone seems necessary.
If you’re like me, I can only take just so much time being around other people before I need to recharge alone. Other people prefer listening to music, but I prefer silence. Although I may read a book or watch some tv, those are really distancing mechanisms, where I think of nothing but what I’m presented with, but I think these times are necessary too.
We’re always growing, and always changing, even when it seems like our thoughts are just in a big loop – they’re not. I think that while our thoughts can travel in a big loop, that they’re more like a tightly wound spiral coil – it seems as if you’re thinking the same things, and most likely you’re thinking most of the same things, but even the little bitty changes in thinking will eventually lead to the answer you most desire.
Make time to be alone, especially when life is chaotic. It doesn’t mean you’re sad, just thoughtful. There’s no need to apologize, because you’re not doing it for other’s well-being. Taking care of yourself, is just as important as taking care of the ones around you.
All best,
Rose
