"Even using the bathroom would present me with an opportunity for entertainment - as if not having something to scroll through would equate to boredom so severe I might not survive."
I am an introvert and love being alone too, but also seem to need to fill my mind with something, anything! When I get in the car, I feel a need to have music on straight away, or when I am out walking my dog. I wonder if it's a dopamine thing (I'm on a very long waiting list for an ADHD assessment), but I am always ravenous for any kind of stimulation! I know giving into this need actually makes me need hungrier for it though, so not actually healthy habit. I am particularly sensitive to this in the morning, so perhaps that would be a good time to cut out all the noise. Thanks for this piece Charlie, you have inspired me to try and include more totally noise-free moments into my 2024, starting from today!
I hope your experiment is fruitful Hannah! Even just little moments at a time can be hugely rewarding - especially in the morning, I find. Good luck :)
I'm the same, Hannah! I crave alone time and silence/solitude. But when it comes down to it, I always have to have a podcast playing in the background or music...went on a walk today though with no headphones, and it was wonderful!
I think you raise a really valid & interesting point - solitude that is actual true silent solitude without the interruptions & noice of all our ‘stuff’ may in fact be the tonic many a soul seeks - well this soul for one.
I think I am going to model some awareness around this & look at my own seasons of solitude from this new aspect.
I love this so much! As a fellow lover of solitude you've made me reconsider my relationship to my phone and podcasts and music and all these apps that take up that precious solitude too. I always felt like because I give my mind lots of time to wander, both on and off the page, I was doing alright, but this has made me think deeper. I feel like I have to work on consciously consuming instead of letting all the noise consciously consume me. Thank you 💜
I really resonate with these reflections Charlie, thank you! I notice that I often reach for stimulation/media when I am feeling anxious in my own skin. The noise numbs out my inner discomfort for a little bit, but afterwards I am left with even more anxiety and feel less connected to what my body needs in the moment. I find that for me there’s some inertia in engaging in solitude, a part of me is afraid of it, but then once I’m immersed in the solitude it’s like time stops and I don’t want to leave. It’s encouraging to hear that your moments of solitude have felt easier to access as you’ve continued your practices!
Fascinating! My inner landscape is such that I often get wrapped up in my own thoughts - reading your descriptions made me realize I have almost the opposite situation - I experience solitude at times even when surrounded by others/activities - I can easily be in my head if I’m not specifically engaging. It’s my default that I undertake activities like a walk or a drive with nothing but my thoughts - and specifically remember occasionally and choose music or something to listen to in the meantime. It’s so fascinating to read about your experience - definitely reminds me that there are benefits and drawbacks either way!
Thank you for sharing your experience Sydney, that's super interesting that solitude is your default! That's it isn't it - I feel as though there are pitfalls whichever extreme one chooses, and that finding some kind of intentional middle ground when averaged over time is probably the most fruitful place to aim for.
Hey Charlie, thanks for sharing this! It's nice to see someone else getting a handle on and enjoying solitude. I spent several months this year choosing to live on my bicycle due to unemployment but also so I could access my brain PROPERLY through solitude – even though the people around me often didn't understand. I found the same experience with solitude, which is something I've always prized making time for but never before so constantly. Now I'm back in employment, it can really be difficult to find the solitude space again, so it's encouraging and calming to read about your experiences in this moment. Take care! x
Hi Alison! Wow, I'm so intrigued that you lived on your bicycle - that sounds like such a unique experience. If you don't mind me asking, did you do bike camping? Being out in nature must have been such a balm, especially whilst pursuing solitude. x
Oh hi! I did camp, mostly wild camping and a little bit of campsite camping. I had a break in the middle cat-sitting for a friend, but yeah! It was really lovely, although sometimes not knowing where you'll sleep every night can get wearing. x
That's amazing! I can imagine it must have been challenging at times - I find when I'm away in my van (very different to camping I know!!) after a while I find it fatiguing to have to constantly reassess where I'm staying and safety etc etc etc. Props to you!! x
You have described me, albeit I was having a though time with chronic pain and ill health and therefore using this lack of solitude to ease this. I think it worked as a tool to get me through a very difficult time, I’m now coming to realise that it’s the same tool that’s now a problem and I’ve forgotten the joy of solitude. I was I was already actively trying to rectify this but your posts are providing me with many new ideas and pushing me into a new level. A physical diary being one I’m currently adjusting to in the new year. Dreaming of a record player next. Oh and a dog, but I am not sure this is the same vein or another reason I’m adding to my already long list to get one 🤣
I'm sorry you've had a tough time with chronic pain and ill health Sheila ❤️ I can relate to using external stimuli during difficult times, I felt similarly during my burnout. I'm so excited to hear you're experimenting with a physical diary! Did you go for a pre-printed diary or are you creating your own bullet journal? It took me a few years to really work out how I like to use my planners and journals to support how my brain likes to organise and process things, so I think a period of 'adjustment' is very normal. I could give you maaaany reasons to add to your list in terms of getting a dog - don't get me started 😂
I’m grateful my health is significantly better, but there’s lots of grief involved of course.
I actually got one for Christmas, it’s a Tedi one and is two days at a time (I usually like a week but giving it a try). I tried a bullet journal and it was a big disaster! There was too much creating in advance and I find time a slippery thing and kept getting dates wrong. I also missed out a month 🤣🤣🤣 Oh it was terrible. So a preprinted one I think is best, this has some habit trackers in it and I’m enjoying it. Lots of little places for notes and things which I also like, initially it was for planning but I’ve been enjoying noting down my day too! So far so good.
Today I was researching what I need to buy for my dog haha 😝 I want to get a greyhound, or whippet, and I’ve been researching where I can adopt one. Hopefully I find my dog soul mate soon… And not loose my husband in the process (he’s not keen but we made a deal and I’m holding it to it! He said if we can’t have a baby (just found I can’t) we can get a dog!🐕 My therapist is onside too haha.).
Oh my gosh bullet journals were a big disaster for me too! For the same reasons! 😂 I absolutely have to have a pre-printed planner for my planning and organisation. It sounds like you're intuitively using yours as a journal/logbook too, which is sooo nice. I always think how cool it will be to look back in a few years and have an insight into how I was feeling or what I was doing on a particular day. Time, as you say, is slippery so it's necessary! 😂
Greyhounds and whippets are soooo cute - I think had I not got a cockapoo I would have opted for a whippet, they are so gentle. I don't know if these are the right words but I want to acknowledge your finding you can't have a baby and send you a big hug and lots of special love ❤️ I am crossing my fingers and toes that your dog soul mate will find you soon!! He/she/they will be very lucky to join your family.
You’re the first person I’ve spoken to who has tried and failed at the bullet journal! It’s a relief to know I’m not the only one 🤣 I felt bad because my boyfriend (now husband) bought it me thinking I love being creative (which is true), it’s the only present he’s ever bought me that hasn’t been a huge success. He still brings it up now and how he failed with that one 😕
I am indeed! It is nice it’s true, kind of relaxing noting the day’s activities. Yours is a bit more detailed than mine, but I’ve been inspired by your cutting and sticking of receipts and want to do the same but for successful recipes. We usually write them in a book but we both get bored and sometimes only the name of the recipe is written down with an aim to copy it out later. I think printing and cutting and sticking will be a much more fun way!
I like the idea of jotting down things because time is indeed so slippery! I really struggle grasping it either in a past sense, now sense or even future sense. It’s such a strange concept 🙈
I’ve been searching greyhound stuff, the jumpers have me all 😍😍😍 I have to say a noneshedding dog is a high contender for the whippet/greyhound, but I know I want to rescue and they’re not often a breed that ends up there. I did see a waterdog, a breed popular here in Spain, but I don’t know much about them as a breed.
Thank you for your acknowledgement, it’s a tough old time. Grieving something so big and life changing is hard, I feel like I want to wear all black to tell the world I’m in mourning. Overall it’s not widely understood or appreciated how difficult it is. I’m tryyyyying to write about it, but it’s hard too, I don’t want to come across is all depressing. Hmm work in progress, like me 😉
I also love the solitude aspect of swimming. Having moved house in 2023 I haven’t yet figured out where to go swimming in my new city - though when it gets warmer I will head through to Bath (10 ish miles away) for the occasional trip to Cleveland Pools
Oooo Cleveland Pools is on my list! I don't live anywhere near, so I'm not sure when it will happen - but it looks sooo beautiful. What a lovely place that will be to reacquaint yourself with swimming again. 🥰
It’s a weird gap that Bristol doesn’t have a good public outdoor pool! All the leisure centre pools have the sort of timed ‘sessions’ that stress me out more than they should.
100% - I would have thought Bristol would at least have a lido or something! I feel the same way about timed sessions - I want to be able to float in and out when I please, not feel under pressure.
Oh I’m so glad it’s not just me! I used to go to a Nuffield Health gym in Edinburgh and this was one thing I loved about it - especially at weekends when I’d go to the slightly further-away one which was adult only. It was SO soothing and calm. As I have a small gym in my new building I’m loathe to spend the money on a gym membership just for the pool - funnelling the cash into dance classes instead. Hot baths and Pilates are filling the void for now.
I’m so interested in how this experiment continues to go! Do you find solitude hard on your ADHD? I have to balance quiet with just enough noise/stimulation, otherwise I will fall asleep 🙃 But I love pondering on life and my experiences... Thoughts?
Honestly Kayla I've actually found it has helped my ADHD 😱 but I think (although I'm figuring it out in real time right now) there are specific reasons to do with my scheduling that explain this. The main one being that I intersperse periods of solitude with high-intensity activities. So, for example, after I swim I immediately come home to have breakfast, listen to music, dance around, play Uno with my partner, and only then sit down to write with my noise cancelling headphones on. Also, I'm never just sitting in silence (like people do when they meditate - that doesn't work for me haha), the solitude I access is mostly whilst I'm doing something else - like swimming or walking or journaling. Does any of that resonate with you? These are very much thoughts in progress!!
Ooh this makes SO much sense! The (physically) active solitude would make all the difference for me. I used to fall asleep while in school/trying to do homework because it wasn't stimulating enough. Playing music/eating while doing homework were my go-to solutions, but that wasn't always enough (and I couldn't do either during classes). I definitely need to try the interspersing idea- I homeschool my three kids, and my middle child very likely has ADHD; she gets her roller blades on and skates around while we do school ;) I think I'm going to brainstorm with my kids about how we can try applying this. I'll let you know how it goes!
Nicely written and inspiring, thank you Charlie. Your aura reminds me of a book that really spoke to me recently that I think you would like, Enchantment: Awakening Wonder in an Anxious Age by Katherine May xx
Thank you for this! It’s given me a lot of food for thought. I realized in the shower today that I couldn’t remember the last time I was totally alone with my thoughts. You summed this feeling up perfectly!
This is so interesting to me. By this definition of solitude, it seems like you wouldn't count reading - is that right, or am I misunderstanding? Either way, I love that you're sharing about this experience, and I'm looking forward to reading more.
Correct, this interpretation would not include reading because reading involves input from others' minds. This is based on a definition I found in my research which I have adopted because it resonates with me personally. Would you count reading as solitude? Thank you for reading!
I think by this definition it makes sense not to include it, but I also think if you'd asked me before reading this, I would have easily said yes - though maybe not so much when done on a device, and perhaps only for fiction? This makes me curious about defining solitude for myself!
Fascinating! I think it's a great jumping off point for crafting one's own personal philosophy of solitude. I can totally see why fiction might be carved out.
Oh wow Charlie this resonated so much, I am always looking for that next thing, taking in what everyone else's doing I struggle to do anything I want to do... I'm not quite sure what that even is if I'm honest. Quitting instagram, Facebook and adding more time for writing and reading for me has been the first step to finding more solitude. I think as woman we have been fed this misconception that multitasking is the way forward and in fact it is the complete opposite. Thankyou again Charlie and I look forward to hearing how your progress with this.
That is such a great point Caroline! And I think as women in the 21st century balancing work and, for many women, child-rearing we have been forced to believe that multitasking is the answer to be able to just to get through it all. Sounds like you're on a fascinating path; mine looked similar, first it was dialling into slow media, writing and reading more, and eventually choosing silence every now and again.
Charlie, thanks for sharing your experience in reclaiming solitude! I am glad that you found inspiration in Peco's and my catalogue of "Simple Acts of Sanity". I'll be interested to learn how your coming months unfold :)
Thank you for sharing, that's quite some food for thought which I am gladly taking in. Being the main care provider for two kids as well as an online entrepreneur, it always seems hard to really implement solitude in my everyday life - but I do miss it so much. Will be reflecting on that with your input - a lot! 🤍
Wow. Charlie, this letter has made so many things I’ve been struggling with or have been pondering lately click into place. It’s like you are inside my brain. You’ve inspired me to get back into my swimming. Then you quote my girl Virginia Woolf?!
Adore the introspection, research and compassion here. 🧡
I am an introvert and love being alone too, but also seem to need to fill my mind with something, anything! When I get in the car, I feel a need to have music on straight away, or when I am out walking my dog. I wonder if it's a dopamine thing (I'm on a very long waiting list for an ADHD assessment), but I am always ravenous for any kind of stimulation! I know giving into this need actually makes me need hungrier for it though, so not actually healthy habit. I am particularly sensitive to this in the morning, so perhaps that would be a good time to cut out all the noise. Thanks for this piece Charlie, you have inspired me to try and include more totally noise-free moments into my 2024, starting from today!
I hope your experiment is fruitful Hannah! Even just little moments at a time can be hugely rewarding - especially in the morning, I find. Good luck :)
I'm the same, Hannah! I crave alone time and silence/solitude. But when it comes down to it, I always have to have a podcast playing in the background or music...went on a walk today though with no headphones, and it was wonderful!
I think you raise a really valid & interesting point - solitude that is actual true silent solitude without the interruptions & noice of all our ‘stuff’ may in fact be the tonic many a soul seeks - well this soul for one.
I think I am going to model some awareness around this & look at my own seasons of solitude from this new aspect.
Thank you 🙏🏻
Love this Tiffany - 'the tonic many a soul seeks', and thank you for reading and sharing! x
I love this so much! As a fellow lover of solitude you've made me reconsider my relationship to my phone and podcasts and music and all these apps that take up that precious solitude too. I always felt like because I give my mind lots of time to wander, both on and off the page, I was doing alright, but this has made me think deeper. I feel like I have to work on consciously consuming instead of letting all the noise consciously consume me. Thank you 💜
Oh you are so welcome! I feel happy to know this letter resonates with you. 🥰
I really resonate with these reflections Charlie, thank you! I notice that I often reach for stimulation/media when I am feeling anxious in my own skin. The noise numbs out my inner discomfort for a little bit, but afterwards I am left with even more anxiety and feel less connected to what my body needs in the moment. I find that for me there’s some inertia in engaging in solitude, a part of me is afraid of it, but then once I’m immersed in the solitude it’s like time stops and I don’t want to leave. It’s encouraging to hear that your moments of solitude have felt easier to access as you’ve continued your practices!
Fascinating! My inner landscape is such that I often get wrapped up in my own thoughts - reading your descriptions made me realize I have almost the opposite situation - I experience solitude at times even when surrounded by others/activities - I can easily be in my head if I’m not specifically engaging. It’s my default that I undertake activities like a walk or a drive with nothing but my thoughts - and specifically remember occasionally and choose music or something to listen to in the meantime. It’s so fascinating to read about your experience - definitely reminds me that there are benefits and drawbacks either way!
Thank you for sharing your experience Sydney, that's super interesting that solitude is your default! That's it isn't it - I feel as though there are pitfalls whichever extreme one chooses, and that finding some kind of intentional middle ground when averaged over time is probably the most fruitful place to aim for.
It always seems to turn out that way, finding the gently meandering middle path keeps turning out best :)
There is something reassuring about that isn't there? :)
Hey Charlie, thanks for sharing this! It's nice to see someone else getting a handle on and enjoying solitude. I spent several months this year choosing to live on my bicycle due to unemployment but also so I could access my brain PROPERLY through solitude – even though the people around me often didn't understand. I found the same experience with solitude, which is something I've always prized making time for but never before so constantly. Now I'm back in employment, it can really be difficult to find the solitude space again, so it's encouraging and calming to read about your experiences in this moment. Take care! x
Hi Alison! Wow, I'm so intrigued that you lived on your bicycle - that sounds like such a unique experience. If you don't mind me asking, did you do bike camping? Being out in nature must have been such a balm, especially whilst pursuing solitude. x
Oh hi! I did camp, mostly wild camping and a little bit of campsite camping. I had a break in the middle cat-sitting for a friend, but yeah! It was really lovely, although sometimes not knowing where you'll sleep every night can get wearing. x
That's amazing! I can imagine it must have been challenging at times - I find when I'm away in my van (very different to camping I know!!) after a while I find it fatiguing to have to constantly reassess where I'm staying and safety etc etc etc. Props to you!! x
You have described me, albeit I was having a though time with chronic pain and ill health and therefore using this lack of solitude to ease this. I think it worked as a tool to get me through a very difficult time, I’m now coming to realise that it’s the same tool that’s now a problem and I’ve forgotten the joy of solitude. I was I was already actively trying to rectify this but your posts are providing me with many new ideas and pushing me into a new level. A physical diary being one I’m currently adjusting to in the new year. Dreaming of a record player next. Oh and a dog, but I am not sure this is the same vein or another reason I’m adding to my already long list to get one 🤣
I'm sorry you've had a tough time with chronic pain and ill health Sheila ❤️ I can relate to using external stimuli during difficult times, I felt similarly during my burnout. I'm so excited to hear you're experimenting with a physical diary! Did you go for a pre-printed diary or are you creating your own bullet journal? It took me a few years to really work out how I like to use my planners and journals to support how my brain likes to organise and process things, so I think a period of 'adjustment' is very normal. I could give you maaaany reasons to add to your list in terms of getting a dog - don't get me started 😂
I’m grateful my health is significantly better, but there’s lots of grief involved of course.
I actually got one for Christmas, it’s a Tedi one and is two days at a time (I usually like a week but giving it a try). I tried a bullet journal and it was a big disaster! There was too much creating in advance and I find time a slippery thing and kept getting dates wrong. I also missed out a month 🤣🤣🤣 Oh it was terrible. So a preprinted one I think is best, this has some habit trackers in it and I’m enjoying it. Lots of little places for notes and things which I also like, initially it was for planning but I’ve been enjoying noting down my day too! So far so good.
Today I was researching what I need to buy for my dog haha 😝 I want to get a greyhound, or whippet, and I’ve been researching where I can adopt one. Hopefully I find my dog soul mate soon… And not loose my husband in the process (he’s not keen but we made a deal and I’m holding it to it! He said if we can’t have a baby (just found I can’t) we can get a dog!🐕 My therapist is onside too haha.).
Oh my gosh bullet journals were a big disaster for me too! For the same reasons! 😂 I absolutely have to have a pre-printed planner for my planning and organisation. It sounds like you're intuitively using yours as a journal/logbook too, which is sooo nice. I always think how cool it will be to look back in a few years and have an insight into how I was feeling or what I was doing on a particular day. Time, as you say, is slippery so it's necessary! 😂
Greyhounds and whippets are soooo cute - I think had I not got a cockapoo I would have opted for a whippet, they are so gentle. I don't know if these are the right words but I want to acknowledge your finding you can't have a baby and send you a big hug and lots of special love ❤️ I am crossing my fingers and toes that your dog soul mate will find you soon!! He/she/they will be very lucky to join your family.
You’re the first person I’ve spoken to who has tried and failed at the bullet journal! It’s a relief to know I’m not the only one 🤣 I felt bad because my boyfriend (now husband) bought it me thinking I love being creative (which is true), it’s the only present he’s ever bought me that hasn’t been a huge success. He still brings it up now and how he failed with that one 😕
I am indeed! It is nice it’s true, kind of relaxing noting the day’s activities. Yours is a bit more detailed than mine, but I’ve been inspired by your cutting and sticking of receipts and want to do the same but for successful recipes. We usually write them in a book but we both get bored and sometimes only the name of the recipe is written down with an aim to copy it out later. I think printing and cutting and sticking will be a much more fun way!
I like the idea of jotting down things because time is indeed so slippery! I really struggle grasping it either in a past sense, now sense or even future sense. It’s such a strange concept 🙈
I’ve been searching greyhound stuff, the jumpers have me all 😍😍😍 I have to say a noneshedding dog is a high contender for the whippet/greyhound, but I know I want to rescue and they’re not often a breed that ends up there. I did see a waterdog, a breed popular here in Spain, but I don’t know much about them as a breed.
Thank you for your acknowledgement, it’s a tough old time. Grieving something so big and life changing is hard, I feel like I want to wear all black to tell the world I’m in mourning. Overall it’s not widely understood or appreciated how difficult it is. I’m tryyyyying to write about it, but it’s hard too, I don’t want to come across is all depressing. Hmm work in progress, like me 😉
I also love the solitude aspect of swimming. Having moved house in 2023 I haven’t yet figured out where to go swimming in my new city - though when it gets warmer I will head through to Bath (10 ish miles away) for the occasional trip to Cleveland Pools
Oooo Cleveland Pools is on my list! I don't live anywhere near, so I'm not sure when it will happen - but it looks sooo beautiful. What a lovely place that will be to reacquaint yourself with swimming again. 🥰
It’s a weird gap that Bristol doesn’t have a good public outdoor pool! All the leisure centre pools have the sort of timed ‘sessions’ that stress me out more than they should.
100% - I would have thought Bristol would at least have a lido or something! I feel the same way about timed sessions - I want to be able to float in and out when I please, not feel under pressure.
Oh and it does have a lido... but it’s a private membership one that’s £20 a pop for a non-member...
😱😱😱😱
Oh I’m so glad it’s not just me! I used to go to a Nuffield Health gym in Edinburgh and this was one thing I loved about it - especially at weekends when I’d go to the slightly further-away one which was adult only. It was SO soothing and calm. As I have a small gym in my new building I’m loathe to spend the money on a gym membership just for the pool - funnelling the cash into dance classes instead. Hot baths and Pilates are filling the void for now.
Adult only is the cherry on the cake!!
I’m so interested in how this experiment continues to go! Do you find solitude hard on your ADHD? I have to balance quiet with just enough noise/stimulation, otherwise I will fall asleep 🙃 But I love pondering on life and my experiences... Thoughts?
Honestly Kayla I've actually found it has helped my ADHD 😱 but I think (although I'm figuring it out in real time right now) there are specific reasons to do with my scheduling that explain this. The main one being that I intersperse periods of solitude with high-intensity activities. So, for example, after I swim I immediately come home to have breakfast, listen to music, dance around, play Uno with my partner, and only then sit down to write with my noise cancelling headphones on. Also, I'm never just sitting in silence (like people do when they meditate - that doesn't work for me haha), the solitude I access is mostly whilst I'm doing something else - like swimming or walking or journaling. Does any of that resonate with you? These are very much thoughts in progress!!
Ooh this makes SO much sense! The (physically) active solitude would make all the difference for me. I used to fall asleep while in school/trying to do homework because it wasn't stimulating enough. Playing music/eating while doing homework were my go-to solutions, but that wasn't always enough (and I couldn't do either during classes). I definitely need to try the interspersing idea- I homeschool my three kids, and my middle child very likely has ADHD; she gets her roller blades on and skates around while we do school ;) I think I'm going to brainstorm with my kids about how we can try applying this. I'll let you know how it goes!
Nicely written and inspiring, thank you Charlie. Your aura reminds me of a book that really spoke to me recently that I think you would like, Enchantment: Awakening Wonder in an Anxious Age by Katherine May xx
Thank you for the recommendation Trish! x
Thank you for this! It’s given me a lot of food for thought. I realized in the shower today that I couldn’t remember the last time I was totally alone with my thoughts. You summed this feeling up perfectly!
Ah, a shower realisation! Love those! Thank you Anna, appreciate you reading and sharing.
This is so interesting to me. By this definition of solitude, it seems like you wouldn't count reading - is that right, or am I misunderstanding? Either way, I love that you're sharing about this experience, and I'm looking forward to reading more.
Correct, this interpretation would not include reading because reading involves input from others' minds. This is based on a definition I found in my research which I have adopted because it resonates with me personally. Would you count reading as solitude? Thank you for reading!
I think by this definition it makes sense not to include it, but I also think if you'd asked me before reading this, I would have easily said yes - though maybe not so much when done on a device, and perhaps only for fiction? This makes me curious about defining solitude for myself!
Fascinating! I think it's a great jumping off point for crafting one's own personal philosophy of solitude. I can totally see why fiction might be carved out.
Yes, I agree! I think this might be a useful prompt for me.
Oh wow Charlie this resonated so much, I am always looking for that next thing, taking in what everyone else's doing I struggle to do anything I want to do... I'm not quite sure what that even is if I'm honest. Quitting instagram, Facebook and adding more time for writing and reading for me has been the first step to finding more solitude. I think as woman we have been fed this misconception that multitasking is the way forward and in fact it is the complete opposite. Thankyou again Charlie and I look forward to hearing how your progress with this.
That is such a great point Caroline! And I think as women in the 21st century balancing work and, for many women, child-rearing we have been forced to believe that multitasking is the answer to be able to just to get through it all. Sounds like you're on a fascinating path; mine looked similar, first it was dialling into slow media, writing and reading more, and eventually choosing silence every now and again.
Charlie, thanks for sharing your experience in reclaiming solitude! I am glad that you found inspiration in Peco's and my catalogue of "Simple Acts of Sanity". I'll be interested to learn how your coming months unfold :)
Thank you Ruth! Likewise, I've been eagerly reading your reflections on similar topics.
Thank you for sharing, that's quite some food for thought which I am gladly taking in. Being the main care provider for two kids as well as an online entrepreneur, it always seems hard to really implement solitude in my everyday life - but I do miss it so much. Will be reflecting on that with your input - a lot! 🤍
So understandable Nadja! Enjoy your reflections, and I'd love to hear how you get on if you feel like sharing. ❤️
Wow. Charlie, this letter has made so many things I’ve been struggling with or have been pondering lately click into place. It’s like you are inside my brain. You’ve inspired me to get back into my swimming. Then you quote my girl Virginia Woolf?!
Adore the introspection, research and compassion here. 🧡