subject: Solitude And Loneliness-using Them To Your Benefit [print this page] Solitude and loneliness are often regarded as conditions that are to be avoided as much as possible. When confronted with a person who is lonely, the natural instinct of people is to offer words of advice intended to lift the lonely person's spirits, or to help him or her find a way out of the condition. Given the universal aversion people have toward loneliness, it is hardly surprising that so many self-help books and guides deal with this very subject and how to prevent and/or resolve it.
Solitude is quite often treated in pretty much the same manner as loneliness, in that it is something undesirable and somehow "abnormal". People who readily and regularly seek solitude are often seen as being depressed or anti-social, although this isn't always a fair assessment. There seems to be something about a person who is alone-whether because of his own doing-that invites pity, compassion, and even disdain.
The fact of the matter is that solitude can be sought after and even cherished without any negativity whatsoever. With all the trials and challenges that we all face on a daily basis, it is natural to want to seek some relief once in a while. A good way to do that is by limiting your contact with other people for a while and seeking solitude. With enough "alone time", you may find yourself gaining a much clearer perspective, and find the solitude to any problem that is currently bothering you. When used in this manner, solitude can actually work wonders in terms of healing the spirit, and helping you gain enough energy to face the challenges that lie ahead.
Loneliness isn't as positive a condition by far, and there is no denying that the condition can be pretty devastating. People who are lonely often feel as if there is no one left in the world that cares for them, and things can look pretty bleak indeed. However, it is worth considering that even the most severe cases of loneliness are usually temporal in nature, and there is always something positive to look forward to no matter how hopeless things may seem. Given the proper mindset and support, loneliness can actually give you time to consider all your options and prepare you for the time when you are ready to face the world.
So solitude vs loneliness...just how different-or similar-are they really? There is actually a bit of overlap with the two conditions, and people who are lonely are often alone, whether it is due to their choice or not. In the same way, people who are in solitude are often suffering from a severe degree of loneliness. Although this isn't always the case, solitude and loneliness do often go hand-in-hand. When considering these two conditions therefore, it is important to determine whether solitude is a symptom or a trigger of loneliness, or it is actually a process of healing and self reflection that may actually ease the pain of loneliness, or help prevent it entirely.
