Solitary Trees Grow Taller

Written by Zelene Wong

Edited by Samantha Law

“Solitude has its very own strange beauty to it.” For years, society has viewed solitude and being alone with a negative correlation – going so far as to label it a “red flag.” With the Covid-19 pandemic casting an even darker veil on being solitary, people have started to view isolation as a sort of ‘emotional purgatory’. However, research and articles have proven otherwise.

“Solitude is refreshment for our souls,” quotes Naomi Judd. Humans have long stigmatized solitude. It has been considered an inconvenience, something to avoid, a punishment. Science has often aligned it with pessimistic outcomes. John Cacioppo, a modern social neuroscientist who has extensively studied loneliness - what he calls “chronic perceived isolation” - contends that, beyond harming our thinking powers, isolation can even harm our physical health. However, scientists have increasingly found that approaching solitude, which, when pursued by choice, can be a form of therapeutic relief.

Moreover, this is especially true in times of personal turbulence when the instinctive response is often to reach outside of themselves for support. “When people are experiencing a crisis it’s not always just about you; It’s about how you are in society,” explains Jack Fong, a sociologist at California State Polytechnic University who has studied solitude. The hyper-connected society that we live in today illustrates social malignancy and how social media is not the best way to present and view yourself. “If people take these moments to explore their solitude, not only will they be forced to confront who they are, they just might learn a little bit about how to out-manoeuvre some of the toxicity that surrounds them in a social setting.” Individuals who experience positive solitude credit this to the freedom to engage in preferred activities and the absence of social pressure and surveillance. In other words, people are better equipped to understand how their social setting affects them when they step outside that framework.

Similar beliefs were held by the Trappist monk and author Thomas Merton, who lived in solitude. “We cannot see things in perspective until we cease to hug them to our bosom.” When the door to the ever-moving world is shut, you have room to breathe and the chance for inner serenity. A place of solitude allows for the resolution of problems and removes external influences – it provides a space for cooler heads to prevail.

Solitude also amps up creativity. “The monotony and solitude of a quiet life stimulate the creative mind” ~ Albert Einstein. Despite the claims of some studies that collaboration fosters creativity, we need to peer at history’s greatest inventions, discoveries, and masterpieces to realize that most epiphanies and breakthroughs occur in solitude. There, the atmosphere of calm reflection fosters creative thoughts. Consider the professor with the unruly hair who sequestered himself to think about the Principles of Physics and create two revolutionary theories that altered the course of science. Or consider the blind and deaf composer who isolated in his attic and created works of art that are still heard in concert halls and home music rooms, laying the groundwork for an entirely new period of music. Einstein and Beethoven are both famous examples, but we can all benefit creatively from solitude, where ideas can be formed without the opinions of others dampening our creativity.

“Plants in a crowded stand regulate their height growth to maintain similar heights to neighbours even when they have potential advantages in height growth”, states Hisae Nagashima and Kouki Hikosaka in an article they wrote on botany. In today’s fast-paced culture, most of society leans heavily on the ‘safety net’ of our peers. As humans are hard-wired to strive for the acceptance of the people surrounding them when we spend a significant amount of our time with others. They start to influence our thinking and our opinions, even in subtle ways. It’s all too simple to lose our sense of self. Some people feel they should mould their opinions to match those of others, likely because of peer pressure or to avoid conflict. It is perfectly fine to have friends who voice a different opinion from yours but do not let others drag you down. If you are capable of branching out and growing taller, do not be afraid to.

Positive solitude also increases self-awareness and confidence. “The greatest of faults is to be conscious of none,” states Thomas Carlyle. It is in solitude that you can understand and process your thoughts and feelings. Self-awareness is essential for all facets of life, including relationships, work, and spirituality. Self-awareness offers grounds for growth, and these elements can also help you develop confidence without having to worry about other people’s critics, helping you grow more comfortable in your skin. Arguably, many people detest solitude as their darker thoughts haunt them in the silence - this is rumination in play. In the presence of a company, these thoughts and feelings can be driven away into the deep recesses of the mind, allowing for more uplifting concepts. Nevertheless, chasing them away doesn’t mean that they will simply dissipate and never return. Instead, they deteriorate and fester, posing an even greater issue. Often by touching on these things in solitude, you allow yourself to truly solve and recover from them.

Overall, the benefits of solitude are much more distinguishable in relation to the negatives. We, as humans, are social beings: the idea of interpersonal attachments is appealing to us, but it is challenging to embrace solitude. Happiness fluctuates constantly, but lasting joy comes from within. And while interacting with others might enrich our lives, it is up to us, as individuals, to find and hold onto our joy. Take control of your mind and concentrate on the things that make you happy - short or long-term - while spending time alone.