One problem with our lives these days is that many of us never find time to spend alone in peace without being bombarded with noise and information. There is no time for solitude and quiet contemplation, and as a result, we have stress, anxiety, depression and repression.
Find time each day to be alone for your mental health by stealing pockets of time from other areas of your life. This time will pay off for you in the long run; you will become sane. With the ability to reflect on your life; on what you have gone through in the last 24 hours; in the last week or year, you can slowly improve your life or learn to be happy once again. Finding time for solitude is extremely important, and yet it’s an area that is often neglected. I don’t mean time where you’re watching TV or surfing the Internet or reading or watching the news. There’s nothing wrong with those activities, but they aren’t conducive to contemplation, to getting to know yourself, to reflecting on what you have been going through; for thinking about your dreams. Learning to spend time in quiet solitude is also very difficult. It’s probably best if done in small doses at first, so if you only do it for 20 or 30 minutes at first, that’s OK. Learn to fight the urge to turn the TV on or turn your computer on or play music or read. It’s hard, but it’s worth it. What follows are just some ideas for recapturing about an hour a day of extra time, from other sources of time so that you can have time for solitude. These are temporary fixes … ways for you to find that time for 30 days, and in those 30 days, you can find other ways to simplify your life so that you can have this time permanently. Use those 30 days in part for thinking about the complications in your life, about things you might want to eliminate to free up more time for important things; like your dreams; loved ones; your passion, and solitude.
1. Television: This is not a crusade against television, and I’m not saying you should get rid of it. I watch TV. Remember this is a temporary fix; try to reduce your television consumption by 60 minutes, just for 30 days. You may find that you enjoy reduced TV consumption, but every person is different.
2. Internet: Reduce your consumption of the Internet by 60 minutes for 30 days. Be sure to use those 60 minutes for solitude and contemplation. Reducing your Internet use will force you to use the time you do use the Internet more productively … you can still do the things you love to do, but you have to use them in a more focused way.
3. Wake earlier: Waking up early has quite a number of benefits, and one of its best benefits is the quiet time you have alone which can be used for writing, exercise, and for contemplation. Try waking 1-hour earlier, just for 30 days. Or if that doesn’t work for you, stay up an hour later. Either way works.
4. Stop shopping: Again, it’s only temporary! But if you’re also trying to reduce debt or save money, this is a great permanent solution. But just try it for 30 days. Eliminate all shopping except essential grocery shopping. Everything else goes on a 30-day list.
5. Leave work early: If your work allows it, see if you can leave work earlier. If you have a smart boss, the only thing that will matter is if you’re getting your work done — not how long you’re in the office. So really focus on getting the essential work done within the time you have, and leave an hour earlier.
6. Take a longer lunch: Sometimes it’s easier to squeeze out extra time for your lunch break than it is to come in early or to leave early. If you can take 90 minutes for lunch, use the first 30-minutes for eating and the other 60-minutes for solitude.
7. Don’t do anything after work: If you make social commitments after work, or business meetings, or whatever, stop making these plans for 30 days and use this time for solitude.
8. Cut out non-essential reading: Cut out magazine reading and most book reading (unless it’s essential) to give you some extra time. This will also include cutting out newspaper and Internet reading.
9. Minimize recreation: Partying, drinking, playing sports, playing video games … however you spend your free time, see if you can cut into that time. Remember to use any time you free up for solitude and contemplation, not extra TV time.
So glad you are here, were the tips helpful? It will be a pleasure to hear your contributions. Don’t leave without dropping a comment. Enjoy the rest of your day.
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