A thoroughly enjoyable read and great exploration of an important aspect of human experience. While we are definitely social animals, the drive for solitude seems almost counterintuitive. Some other adjacent practices worth considering: float tanks, dark retreats and dopamine detoxes.
Oscar! Thank you so much my friend. I always appreciate your words as honest and transparent. Glad this whole concept resonated :) PS: East of Eden is wonderful, yet not an easy read (at least it hasn't been for me -- but it's been years already; not sure how I would approach it now)
Cultivating natural idleness. I really like that idea. The fact that Michelangelo took year-long pauses while working on the David is a very inspiring piece of trivia, and the quote by Camus is new to me and exceptionally evocative. “Idleness is fatal only to the mediocre” I don't, however, have the same experience with writing being a solitary non-conversation. I find it a very alive process actually, very similar to the way you describe painting or music. Once a few words are down there is an exchange that starts, a dance of two moving energies, me and a creative spark that I experience as exceptionally good company. I always appreciate your thoughtful articles.
Rick! Your comments are always so well thought-out they can be essays in and of themselves. Love your reflections. Particularly this one, when you say that you can interact with what you write as if embarking on a dialogue. This is very interesting. You should write about this! Thank you for your words and for taking the time. I really appreciated it :)
Thanks a lot Sylvio. As a matter of fact I've been planning just that. I've found so many articles inspiring of thought and reflection that it's leading naturally to the development of new pieces. I'm loving the insight jumpstarts from the people I'm reading. It's a pleasure to read and comment on your thoughtfulness.
"I like being alone, it’s my favorite way of spending time. Maybe that’s why I like writing so much. Most of all, though, I like solitude because I can be idle."
This essay resonated SO much! Thank you for sharing.
Love this reflection! it seems like that no committee has produced great writing, with the exceptions being (1) Septuagint Bible; and (2) Bourbaki textbooks. So my guess is that solitude is at least a necessary condition for great writing.
Interesting add-on thought, Helen. What I mean by solitude in writing is that it's hard (at least for me) to have a dialogue with the text you wrote. I never thought of it as a possible "collective" experience. And I recognize only now that it can be interpreted as such. Thanks for reading :)
Silvio, as a relatively new ‘follower’, I have been going back to look at (and enjoy!) some of your earlier posts. This one really resonated, and I must say that I feel ever so much better about how I seem to spend much of my time lately!
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and your excellent writing!
Rose! Thank you so much. Those pieces feel so far away, as my writing has undergone a conspicuous metamorphosis, as you might have noticed. At some point, I discovered that I loved writing fiction -- or autofiction -- and that was that. But I don’t repudiate my early writing. It was a different period in my writing life, and at times, I like to go back and reread it myself.
“Idleness is fatal only to the mediocre.”
Wow. Yet another wonderful read from start to finish, Silvio. You always seem to be saying the thing I need to hear most!
Thank you, Grace. So glad this resonates with you. (I was blown away by that quote myself) :)
A thoroughly enjoyable read and great exploration of an important aspect of human experience. While we are definitely social animals, the drive for solitude seems almost counterintuitive. Some other adjacent practices worth considering: float tanks, dark retreats and dopamine detoxes.
Thank you, Tai. So true what you day here. Definitely going to exlore these adjacent practices!
This article gives me peace and acceptance to spend time with myself, which I've always loved but, as you mentioned, it's not well looked upon.
Also, you convinced me to start East of Eden, which has been on my last for too long.
And finally, what a great image at the beginning!
Oscar! Thank you so much my friend. I always appreciate your words as honest and transparent. Glad this whole concept resonated :) PS: East of Eden is wonderful, yet not an easy read (at least it hasn't been for me -- but it's been years already; not sure how I would approach it now)
Cultivating natural idleness. I really like that idea. The fact that Michelangelo took year-long pauses while working on the David is a very inspiring piece of trivia, and the quote by Camus is new to me and exceptionally evocative. “Idleness is fatal only to the mediocre” I don't, however, have the same experience with writing being a solitary non-conversation. I find it a very alive process actually, very similar to the way you describe painting or music. Once a few words are down there is an exchange that starts, a dance of two moving energies, me and a creative spark that I experience as exceptionally good company. I always appreciate your thoughtful articles.
Rick! Your comments are always so well thought-out they can be essays in and of themselves. Love your reflections. Particularly this one, when you say that you can interact with what you write as if embarking on a dialogue. This is very interesting. You should write about this! Thank you for your words and for taking the time. I really appreciated it :)
Thanks a lot Sylvio. As a matter of fact I've been planning just that. I've found so many articles inspiring of thought and reflection that it's leading naturally to the development of new pieces. I'm loving the insight jumpstarts from the people I'm reading. It's a pleasure to read and comment on your thoughtfulness.
Glad I'm contributing to your inspirations :)
"I like being alone, it’s my favorite way of spending time. Maybe that’s why I like writing so much. Most of all, though, I like solitude because I can be idle."
This essay resonated SO much! Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for reading, Sandra. Glad it resonates :)
Love this reflection! it seems like that no committee has produced great writing, with the exceptions being (1) Septuagint Bible; and (2) Bourbaki textbooks. So my guess is that solitude is at least a necessary condition for great writing.
Interesting add-on thought, Helen. What I mean by solitude in writing is that it's hard (at least for me) to have a dialogue with the text you wrote. I never thought of it as a possible "collective" experience. And I recognize only now that it can be interpreted as such. Thanks for reading :)
Silvio, as a relatively new ‘follower’, I have been going back to look at (and enjoy!) some of your earlier posts. This one really resonated, and I must say that I feel ever so much better about how I seem to spend much of my time lately!
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and your excellent writing!
Rose! Thank you so much. Those pieces feel so far away, as my writing has undergone a conspicuous metamorphosis, as you might have noticed. At some point, I discovered that I loved writing fiction -- or autofiction -- and that was that. But I don’t repudiate my early writing. It was a different period in my writing life, and at times, I like to go back and reread it myself.