Mindset Toolkit: Why Finding Time To Be Alone In Solitude Improves The Mind

When The Mind Can Take No More

To find out whether you need to spend time alone or go into solitude, There are many signs that you will clearly see if you pay close attention. It could be your snappy with people, can’t concentrate, feel lost, you want to hide away from the world or you feel your motivation has gone.

This happens when the mind doesn’t have time to relax. When we are in contact with colleagues, our children or the work we have to do. Our mind is in external mode focusing on their needs not our own. When turning our attention to the internal mode we find time to focus on ourselves and let the brain relax on what’s best for ourselves.

Finding time to be alone can offer our minds the chance to catch up and recover. Much like sleeping repairs the brain. Finding time to be alone repairs the mind from exhaustion. You probably noticed when you don’t get enough sleep how much easier it is to get annoyed and frustrated. You feel the same when you don’t find time to be alone.

Main Benefits Of Alone Time

Studies have shown that spending time alone or going one step further and finding solitude.

• Strongly increased happiness
• Better life satisfaction
• Improved stress management
• Reduction in depression symtoms
• Creative thinking

This goes to show why in everyone’s mindset toolkit, alone time or solitude has to be included. Being more introverted myself. Finding time alone away from the responsibilities of life makes me a better person when I’m present with my wife, children and work.

Even extroverted people need time to be alone too. They excel at being the life of the conversation, life of the party or exuberant leaders of people. As much as they love this role there will come a time when it’s time to take a break and find time alone away.

This is healthy and every human needs it as you need sleep. Without you will be drained and not the person you want to be.

How To Find Time To Be Alone

Making time to be alone will go a long way in increasing your wellbeing, productivity and performance. Below are just some of the activities you can do to strengthen the mind with alone time.

Travelling Alone

Travelling alone is a refreshing way to claim your thoughts back. This could be taking the train on your own or it could randomly pick somewhere on a map to travel to for a weekend alone. Doing this takes all the external responsibility away from your life where you can just focus on yourself. Whether that be finding time to read, learn about a new culture, or find out more about yourself.

Hiking In Nature

Exercising the brain is important and hiking in nature is a great way to spend time alone with yourself. You will feel challenged and at home in nature. As nature allows you to connect with it in a way that’s peaceful for the mind. When hiking you will have time to listen to your thoughts, come up with new ideas and focus on what you really want from your life. I always take a small notebook with me to jot down any new ideas and systems I want in my life.

Work Alone

Teamwork makes the dream work is a famous saying that’s actually true. When humans work together magical things happen. But there is also space for working alone too. If you’re constantly getting distracted or need time to process your own thoughts. Get away and find your space to work alone. If I’m at home working I find time in my week to work from a cafe. This allows me to focus on myself rather than be distracted by what’s at home.

Do A Hobby Alone

A great way to find your alone time is picking up a hobby that can be truly yours. This could be joining an MMA class, photography, writing or learning a new language. Whatever the hobby is it will give you space where you can take the mind internally to focus on the self-care of the mind needs.

Plan For It

Planning your alone time can go a long in preventing any symptoms of a lack of alone time popping up. Scheduling in your hobby or when it’s time just for you can go a long way in making sure you make it a habit in your life. It will make you excited and be able to give your external responsibilities all your attention. You can even plan for time in your day when it’s just for you. Waking up before everyone else or having your own room to do whatever you want will help too.

How To Find Solitude

Cabin In The Woods

Famously every year Bill Gates spends 2 weeks out of the year on his own in solitude. This is a time where he can reflect and plan for what he wants to do next. This is a great way to recover the mind the external responsibilities of life. In Scotland, many affordable cabins are far away from human life to spend in solitude. Wherever you live find somewhere you can go to find your solitude for a couple of weeks out of the year.

Your Own Space

You’ve probably heard of a man den before. There’s a lot of jokes about this and females can think it silly. But this is a super healthy way for someone to take a step back to find time for themself in solitude. It’s crucial in your own life to create somewhere in your home that’s your space. Whether that’s your own room, garage, shed or a time in the day that’s yours to command.

The Benefits Of Seeking Solitude

• Clears the mind
• Increases focus and what’s a priority
• listen to what you really want
• Problem-solving

Remember It Has To Be A Fine Balance

We are of course social creatures so we feel at our happiest when we have family, friends and a community around us. Because there is a clear distinction between loneliness and finding time to be alone. This article isn’t about overcoming loneliness it’s about finding space in your life to internally heal, repair and stimulate your mind.

Only you will know how much alone time and solitude you will need in your life and I expect introverted will need more than extroverted people would. But finding time to be alone with yourself and your thoughts is the foundation of mindset strength to build your relationship, career, and habits.

Let’s all find our alone time, our place of solitude and become stronger mentally for it.

PLEASE COMMENT AND SHARE YOUR STORIES

Has this helped you today? What’s your favourite mindset strategy you’re going to try out. I would love to hear your thoughts and your experiences with dealing with a negative mindset. Always remember you are not alone and everything can change.

A Final Word From The Future Mindset 

I hope you enjoyed today’s article If you’re struggling with dealing with mastering your own mindset. Don’t worry you’re not alone. Millions of people go through the same experience every day. I hope the article has helped in some way. If you need extra help or any questions answered. Don’t hesitate to contact me at adam@thefuturemindset.com

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