I've been feeling pretty lonely lately. It got me thinking about the difference between healthy solitude vs. when that can tip over into * less healthy * self-isolation. I wrote some notes about it below .. and then I wrote a song about it. Both helped a lot. Art is awesome like that.
Loneliness hurts.
Solitude heals.
Loneliness is driven by fear of others.
Solitude is driven by love of self.
Loneliness can’t be solved by others.
Solitude can’t be ruined by others.
Loneliness is felt by the small self.
Solitude is felt by the big self.
Loneliness feels wrong because it’s untrue.
Solitude feels right because it’s true.
Loneliness is a frightened child.
Solitude is a caring parent.
underneath Loneliness is a desire for connection with others.
underneath Solitude is a desire for connection with oneself.
Loneliness must be felt fully to be healed.
Solitude is the reward waiting on the other side.
If you feel lonely sometimes, I have good news for you - you're part of an 8 billion person club. We are all deeply connected by our fundamental existential loneliness. The fact that no one else will ever fully understand what it's like to be you ... is the very thing you have in common with every other human being on the planet.
You're not alone. Keep going.
Solitude vs. Loneliness
