in.sight
a newsletter for the eyes of the mind
SERIES 02 | ISSUE 02
Learning to be alone will be your greatest asset
“One can be instructed in society, one is inspired only in solitude”
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Learning how to be alone, to enjoy solitude, could potentially be the best thing you do for yourself. I’ve always been a lone wolf of some sort. And for many years I’ve felt embarrassed about it, thinking it was a character flaw.
But with forced lockdowns and getting older, I’ve come to appreciate how comfortable I am with solitude. And here are a couple of reasons why I think you’d benefit from enjoying your own company as well.
1. You start paying attention to your inner voice
Yes, being alone means facing heads on with your anxieties and self-deprecating thoughts. Perhaps following yourself into the unknown isn’t for the faint of the heart. But beneath that societally constructed inner critic lies your core self.
It takes time to find it. To reflect on and question what you know about yourself. But being alone will show you how to pay attention to your inner voice and to be curious about it.
2. You create agency over your life
No doubt, having joint goals with your partner, family, and even workmates is extremely valuable. But do you carve out enough space to build some control over your own life?
Even if it’s brief moments like having a meal, going to the gym. Or bigger ones like solo backpacking or moving out alone. Plans like these nurture a sense of agency that is so important for creating a healthy self-identity.
3. You have better relationships
Ironic, I know. But practicing solitude does NOT mean pushing people away. Rather it’s about being more intentional with who you spend time with and how you spend those moments.
Having those moments of separation between yourself and others helps you appreciate the times when you’re with them. Studies even show you’ll develop more compassion for other people when you set aside time for solitude.
💝 noteworthy
Book: The Untethered Soul
Whether this is your first exploration of inner space, or you’ve devoted your life to the inward journey, this book will transform your relationship with yourself and the world around you. You’ll discover what you can do to put an end to the habitual thoughts and emotions that limit your consciousness.
😌 calm corner
Video: NEVER TOO SMALL: Japanese Inspired Tranquil Apartment, Taiwan
The NEVER TOO SMALL series on YouTube is every interior geek’s guilty pleasure. This episode features interior designer Anny Hong and her 33sqm apartment within the tranquil mountains of Taipei’s Wenshan District. Inspired by a minimalistic Japanese lifestyle and materials, Anny reimagines her tiny space into a spacious and sleek studio any Muji fan would die for.