Solo: (solo experience) spending an extended amount of time alone on purpose.
Solo.
It's not something that can be summed up in one sentence. Or one paragraph. Or one solo experience.
Here are just a few thoughts that come to mind when I think about solo.
Solo is invigorating.
Solo is soul-inspiring.
Solo is frightening.
Solo is refreshing.
Solo is not easy.
Solo is confidence-building.
Solo is shocking.
Solo is clarity.
Solo is self-love.
Solo is invigorating:
Have you ever been in a place so expansive in size that you feel like you could just spread out your arms and fly through its massive amount of space? That's what happens for me when I first enter solo. As someone who constantly exchanges energy in all of my work, I have learned that I need to take space to myself to completely recharge. So, once I get to my solo site/adventure - I just feel completely invigorated, elated and free. It's a feeling I crave.
After my solo experience is over - I always feel so invigorated in my mental clarity - because I have given myself the space, lack of distractions and time to process whatever has been sitting in my shadow brain. I end my solo experiences feeling mentally well enough to go back and face whatever arises.
Solo is soul-inspiring.
Solo can shake you to your core. it can be so self-affirming simply because you went out there and did it and spent the night in the woods alone or a night in another city alone or a date alone. It makes you realize how powerful and unstoppable you truly are as a human.
Solo is frightening.
Solo is frightening in more way than one. Just being alone, in the woods without any distractions is frightening in itself. But then I remind myself that the woods are safer than the city. Even still , my first night camping alone is often so sleepless if I haven't solo-ed for awhile. Every little sound can scare me. But usually by the second night in, I have begun to connect with the environment and the area. My senses allow me to learn what is natural and normal for the area and what seems a little off place.
Solo is refreshing.
Solo is not easy.
Solo is not easy because I initially feel shameful for taking any amount of solo time in the first place. I grew up in a large family as the oldest of 4 children and there was rarely any solo time and I often had to help take care of my younger siblings - so, taking time alone felt like it was never attainable. And, now living with my partner - I feel guilty for taking time for me - even to just write this blog - but I also know it is necessary and that the process of learning to always authentically be yourself never ending. Just like yoga, it's a practice, not a perfection.
Solo is confidence building.
Solo is shocking.
Solo is clarity.
Solo is self-love.
((more to come!))
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