In the present world guided by technologies and constantly connected world, the art of

solitude or the capacity to spend time alone seemed to be forgotten. Individuals longed to
become one with the self. The extraverts, no matter how much they love to party and to socialize
with other beings, find solitude to be of relevant for the growth of personality. Being at one with
the moment, a person would eventually realize things as they are and its potentials, a time for
reflection of the self, thus, teaching ones self the focus and concentration of mind. Seeking
solitude is part of a persons healthy lifestyle. Several psychologists deal with how to experience
the optimal and authentic happiness. My theory gives importance to experiencing solitary life
and achieving happiness in its maximum level. Individuals have tendency to separate themselves
from the rest of the world. At any level, there will come a point in life when you need time for
yourself. Hearing your thoughts, a time when silence becomes music. People who travel to
certain places achieve that highest pleasure and satisfaction by engaging themselves with people
unknown to them. They allow themselves to explore what they are capable of doing.
Time by oneself can be unpleasant and unsatisfying for people. However, to others
isolation can be beneficial. The possession of our own space gives way to attaining our full
potential; living fully and richly. Individuals who establish living the so-called a life alone but
not lonely will embrace tranquility and calmness. People get rid of depression, being upset and
anxious brought about by underlying both external and internal foolish thoughts. When Abraham
Maslow studied his psychologically healthy people, although the self-actualized people
possessed characteristics that made them the warmest of friends, they also spent a largely amount
of time by themselves. He observed that for all his subjects it is true that they can be solitary
without harm to themselves and without discomfort. The persons desire to spend time alone by
herself is both a reflection of and a contributor to her personal growth and development. Maslow
was quick to point out that psychologically healthy people also tend to express a great deal of
interpersonal warmth and have especially close relationships with their closest friends. Thus,
people with a high desire for solitude are not necessarily trying to escape from relationships.
Rather, it is possible that people who spend a great deal of time by themselves have come to
recognize the benefits of solitude.
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Sometimes, we need to take a break from constant social activity in order to organize our
thoughts and psychologically prepare for future activities. We can experience solitary moment
without losing our social relationship or encounters towards others only that we undergo
emotional renewal. Significantly, it is needed whenever personal problems occur and when we
have to make important decisions. Time for contemplation may be essentially valuable for
adolescents as they address personal questions about religion, values, personal identity and life
goals. During extended periods of isolation days or perhaps weeks alone can provide the
opportunity to develop oneself spiritually, intellectually and creatively.
The theory of engaging in solitary life presents that the unacceptable becomes acceptable.
Where silence speaks of itself. It is when people feels valuable and creates a sense of direction.
Those who immersed in solitude achieve oneness with the self and exhibits self-restoration. The
former is believed to having fully contact with the inner self, thereby, a feeling of permanent
satisfaction. The latter, on the other hand, re-establishes a sense of self separate from the social
self we present to others.
Solitude is divided into three different kinds of experiences. We can look at the effects of
shorts periods of solitude during the day, usually measured in minutes. We also can study the
effects of longer, planned time by oneself, typically measured in hours. Or examine the impact of
extended periods of solitude, such as those measured in days. Each of these kinds of solitude has
the potential to contribute to our well-being. Even short periods of solitude spaced throughout
the day can make a rough day go better. It has to be noted that Carl Jung deliberately isolated
himself for the better part of seven years while he explored the contents of his own unconscious.
It seems clear that spending time alone by your own self can have both positive and
negative consequences. Solitude can be boring and lonely or it can bring insight and a sense of
restoration. Whether people dislike or enjoy their time alone may be a function of their
preference for solitude. On one end of the individual difference dimension, we have people who
avoid solitude whenever possible and get eaten up by loneliness and sadness when forced to
spend even a few free hours by themselves. People on the other end of this dimension are more
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likely to resemble the self-actualized people whom Abraham Maslow described. They have
learned to appreciate the benefits that come from solitude and probably arrange their days so
they have at least a little time to themselves to collect their thoughts and reflect on matters that
concern them.
Overall, people with a high preference for solitude do not avoid social encounters and, in
fact, enjoy their time with others quite a lot. These are consistent with Maslows observations of
psychologically healthy people. thus, not only are a preference for solitude and good
interpersonal relations compatible, they may actually go hand in hand.

References:
Burger, J. (2010). Personality: Fifth Edition. United States of America: Wadsworth.
John, Oliver and Lawrence Pervin (1997). Personality: Theory and Research Seventh Edition.
United States of America: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Gallagher, A. (2008). Citing Websites. Behaviours/Solitude: Living the Solitary Life. Retrieved
October 25, 2012, from http://ajcor.hubpages.com/hub/BehavioursSolitude

PREFERENCE FOR SOLITUDE

Jennibeth D. Baculna

University of Negros Occidental Recoletos