Happy WELLNESS WEDNESDAY, friends!
I have two posts for you today (and then, I’m taking tomorrow off and will be back on Friday!).
Post #1 is all about THINGS I OUTSOURCE WITHOUT REGRET (you’ll want to read that!)…and then below is Post #2 all about SOLITUDE.
What? What?
Yup.
I don’t know about you, but solitude is really really good for my soul.
Before Christmas, I was listening to one of my favorite podcasts, The Simple Sophisticate. I love the host, Shannon Ables, and have shared her podcast, her work and her books with you many, many times before.
In episode #416 (published on December 16th), she speaks to the The Joy and Necessity of Solitude.
You guys, I really loved this episode.
Solitude and loneliness are not the same thing and even though I am very much an extroverted Enneagram 8 that currently lives with 9 other breathing creatures, I really really really like my solitude. I’ve always been like this. As much as I love spending time with people, I really love spending time with myself. In fact, it often energizes me and inspires me and encourages me and makes me feel rested and at peace and brings out the best in me to share with those around me. I have a feeling some of you are the same way.
Today’s encouragement for our Wellness Wednesday is to take a listen to that episode and, if you’re like me and relish your solitude, work on it/lean into it/make sure you’re getting enough of it.
I’m really trying to embrace all the joys of winter this year, and one of the BIG joys is that it comes right after the busy holiday season when time alone just “to be” was few and far between. Winter is the perfect time to enjoy an extra dose of solitude.
For me, it looks like running errands alone with just my favorite podcast playing in my car. Or going for a long walk by myself. Or going into the bathroom to watch a show and take a bath without any interruptions. Just time to myself.
I would LOVE to know if you also crave solitude. What do you do to carve out time for yourself? Please comment and share!
Okay, I am off until Friday. I hope you have a wonderful Wednesday, friends! xx
Diane Moore says
I do crave solitude. Ve been used to having a lot of it, but since my husband retired, it’s harder to come by. He is my best friend, great company, I’d be lost without him, but I still very much enjoy the rare times I’m alone in my house.
The car, a room, etc. is good, but not the same.
Kelly Sites says
I adore solitude. I have many people jobs where I care for A LOT of people (church, work, friends, family). So I refuel by solitude. I LOVE it. When my husband takes his 2x a year golf trip with his friends for 5 days, it’s AMAZING. I know he is having the time of his life (golfing 100 holes in 5 days) and I protect that time and carve it out for me me me. I refuel so I can continue to give to others. I love a long walk, a bath, watching a show while stretching, organizing, reading, doing skin care. I’m my best self when I have solitude. I try and carve it out several times a week.
Elspeth Mizner says
I love Shannon Ables and her podcast! Such a good reminder as we settle into the cold winter months!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Kara says
Yes, yes, yes! I am off on Wednesdays so spending the day with myself running errands, eating lunch, and tidying up by myself is something I look forward to every week!
Lauren says
What are your favorite podcasts currently? Looking for some new ones!
Mix and Match Mama says
I always listen to every new episode of these:
The Drive with Peter Attia
Everyday Wellness with Cynthia Thurlow
The Musers The Podcast
Acquired
The Simple Sophisticate
I listen to many others A LOT but the ones above are ones where I don’t ever miss an episode.
Katie Compton says
The older I’ve gotten I treasure my solitude! I’ve been teaching for 25 years so most of my days are spent with a room full of 7/8 yr olds. I used to eat my lunch with other staff in the break room but a few years ago, I started eating my lunch at my desk or outside if weather is nice while I read a few chapters in my book. We do lots of staff social activities so I don’t feel like I’m missing out on time with my colleagues. I enjoy my lunch, read a little and then am recharged for when my kids come back from their lunch/recess! I’m my favorite lunch date. 😊
Mix and Match Mama says
I love this, Katie. I bet those minutes alone give you so much more energy for the second half of your day with your sweet students.
Bren says
Great Wellness Wednesday post, Shay. I am definitely in a time of craving solitude, in a balance with learning about this new life of adjusting as our children are now grown. And because they are grown and our life has slowed down so very much, I didn’t expect to crave this, I expected/predicted I would have too much of it. Yet it has been so good for my soul. I truly loved the posts you pinned above, especially “be cozy, not lazy” as I’m finding myself doing so much reflecting and learning about this stage of life and who and what I want for the future. Again, lovely post, Shay, thanks so much.
Valerie A says
I love my morning solitude. My husband works from home, and my youngest is living at home and going to community college, so I am rarely alone. I don’t have to get up early everyday, but I do so that I can have alone time. A cup of coffee with my Bible without interruption, is a non negotiable and it makes the day so much better.
Mix and Match Mama says
It’s truly my favorite hour of the day. I never mind getting up for that quiet time, and I always, always regret when I don’t have it.
Beth Valenta says
It is the quiet of coming home after being at school all day, and lighting a candle and regrouping for 10-15 minutes. No music, no tv, no phone, just quiet time. I am pulled in so many directions as a school counselor that I need to refocus on what feels good for me to reenergize and start over.
Amy says
The older I get the more solitude I crave. I have always disliked winter and have seasonal depression during those months so it has been hard to find solitude. After reading this post I am really going to try leaning into it and finding more solitude and being comfortable in it. Thank you, always, for your wellness posts!
Jess W says
Solitude is my jam. I am in introvert, yet I have a job that forces me to be an extrovert, so all day long I am outside my comfort zone being someone I’m inherently not. I’m good at it, I enjoy it, but at the end of the day, I’m mentally drained. It is not hard for me to make time for myself. We don’t have kids, my husband has hobbies that he does on his own, so I don’t have to search for solitude time. I probably need to not have as much alone time as I do, but it really is the place I truly enjoy. I love my friends and family and if it’s been a while since I’ve spent time with them, I want to do that. But being alone is what heals me.
Tracy says
I also crave solitude. I love my family so much, and when they are at school/work, there is something so special and rejuvenating for me to be at home alone! I also really love to be alone with the Lord, reading the Bible and listening to Him. I’m currently reading a good book about this called Invitation to Solitude and Silence by Ruth Haley Barton.
Sue Jones says
I have always craved alone time. My husband is a retired firefighter. He would work 24 hour shifts. I loved having him at home but I was not sad on his work days. 😉.
I am wondering if you have heard about 1000 hours outside. Google it. It’s a global platform that tracks your hours outside. The goal is to reconnect families by getting outside and enjoying time together. It has Shay Shull written all over it. 🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
I am googling that right now!!!! IT’S SO ME!!
Elizabeth says
I am an introvert and generally thrive in solitude situations. I have found my early morning walks by myself are a favorite part of my day. But lately, I’ve been struggling with changes at work, which have left me primarily on my own throughout the day, with just my dog (who does not provide a lot of conversation). I’ve been craving chaos, conversation, and connections! Well, after journaling about those struggles yesterday morning, God had a bit of a sense of humor, and flooded my office with a string of unexpected visitors. Needless to say, today I am a bit more appreciate of my solitude, even here at work!
Emily says
As an introvert, I crave my solitude too. So since you feel recharged after alone time, would you still say you’re an extrovert or maybe an extroverted introvert? My husband and daughter are extreme extroverts-they feel recharged when being around others…being alone actually drains them! Something that I definitely can’t relate to 😆 Just curious about your thoughts!
Annie says
YES! I love my loved ones, but crave solitude. Working from home-life does not replace solitude, I have learned. And the more I can see my calendar filling up with necessary things, the more I am learning that I have to offset that emotional output with restorative solitude for myself. I have in the past struggled with guilt about carving out a chunk of time for myself. But am learning to speak up for my own needs… a hard lesson I learned through & after divorce.. and now the challenge is continuing to do so in a new marriage. I am grateful that my wonderful new husband encourages me to schedule my solitude without reproach, which I’m SO grateful for. A few months ago I spent a glorious day alone on a solo field trip. I went to a place I have always wanted to go spend the afternoon. I brought my hammock chair, snacks, a book, and sat there for 8 hours overlooking one of the most beautiful spots in the Hudson River valley, til the sun set. I’ve recently moved to a different country, so solitude and solo field trips are essential part of taking care of myself. I try to remember – If I don’t take care of myself, how can I help others?
Taylor says
I have irish twins (a 19 month old and seven month old) and stay home with both of them for the most part. That means I NEED solitude in order to be the best mom I can be. Once a week when my husband is home, I go to my favorite coffee shop, sit in my quiet corner, and read for about an hour. It’s just enough to make me feel rejuvenated and also helps me be a better wife and mom.
Mix and Match Mama says
YES, YOU DO!
Janet Teeter says
I love and crave solitude. Sometimes I have to remind my husband that if Jesus needed some “alone time”, it’s a sure thing that I need it too.
Mix and Match Mama says
AMEN!
Laura @ Our Grand Lives says
I know I get lots of energy from being around other people but I also crave solitude to fill my cup. As I was reading your post, I was reminded of one of my favorite bible verses, Psalm 46:10. “Be still and know that I am God.” To me, this verse reveals the quiet power of solitude—not as an escape, but as a sacred space that seems to train my heart to listen rather than react. Striving ceases and awareness deepens.
Amy Grace Duncan says
I definitely crave solitude! I love being around people and working, volunteering, doing all the things, but I definitely need “down time” to recharge my batteries. It was easier to build into my day when my kids were little and they napped, but I am trying to still allow myself some calm time to myself each afternoon with a cup of coffee, even as they get older. It’s something I really look forward to!
Laci says
All of this!!
Valerie P says
I also love solitude! I have always enjoyed doing things by myself. Currently, my morning walks are by myself 3-5 days a week. Since I have my own child and family therapy practice and work a lot from home, I get plenty of “me time” which is how my husband and I refer to it. He also works from home but from his home office above our garage. We each are the 1st person the other wants to spend time with and we both appreciate the time we get with just ourselves. 🙂 Me time is a wonderful thing!
Mix and Match Mama says
I couldn’t agree more!