Across time, great authors and thinkers of the world have ascertained the value and substance of solitude in developing a broader and welcoming attitude the nuances of life. Solitude promotes introspection, a journey into our own psyche, reflecting and re-analyzing our actions, intentions, and aspirations. Being solitary is being alone well: being alone luxuriously immersed in doings of your own choice, aware of the fullness of your won presence rather than of the absence of others. You become alone with your thoughts and you consider and contemplate on them without the distractions and attractions of the surrounding world. The clarity that this contemplation in solitude gives you, may revitalize your perspective towards life as you are reassured of the purpose and intention of your actions and your words. The progression of life can be made better with such pauses, to stop and think a while about the multifarious aspects of your life.
Our language has wisely sensed the two sides of being alone. It has created the word loneliness to express the pain of being alone. And it has created the word solitude to express the glory of being alone. Solitude is not a condition of sorrow or remorse or regret. It is a mental realm where one experiences rejuvenation, mental, physical and spiritual. The stress and pressure of our daily lives can take a toll on the mind. The vibrancy of the world may cease to exist as we forget or are rendered unable to appreciate and experience the finer joys of being alive. The calmness and composure of the mind needed to perceive the world, with all its puzzling complexities can be achieved by this journey one’s own self. Solitude sharpens awareness of small pleasures otherwise lost. It is truly a fact that human beings cannot exist in isolation. They need to be interdependent with each other in order to survive. This interdependence is needed because a human being alone will not be able to fill his own social needs, and his material necessities came from other people as well. All acts of society such as sex, love, and dependence are essential for the survival of any species. Yet, the occasional breaking away from the social cluster for some time with your self tend to do more good than harm.
The difference between loneliness and solitude is the function and the purpose of both the deeds. Loneliness stems from the alienation, either self-induced or socially induced, and contributes to the erosion of confidence and the mental equilibrium. Loneliness expresses the pain of being alone and solitude expresses the glory of being alone. In the modern world scenario, the young generation is divided into two factions, a group of outgoing, socially active individuals and a group of individuals with a certain degree of aversion towards social interaction. Introversion, the condition of these individuals, is an issue that the modern generation is usually diagnosed with. The conscious decision of the individual not to participate in the endless chatter and persiflage will result in the individual being branded as an antisocial and misanthrope. The society is uncertain about their attitude towards an individual exhausted by the mechanical monotony of social interaction. The unfortunate thing is that at times, isolophilia, a strong affinity towards solitude can be mistaken for introversion and the individual can be subjected to the trauma of unwanted treatment.
Social awareness should be increased in terms of identifying and reacting to isolophilia and introversion. The awareness will lead to the acceptance of introverts and the appreciation of the values and significance of solitude.
Arjun Anil Bhaskar
1837303
II MENG
ZEITGEIST 
A very interesting take on how loneliness and solitude emit very different reactions in an individual. The misconception of the introvert and how it is treated as something that is “not normal” or ” worrying” is highlighted. Very insightful and informative.
Nikita Ann Mathews
1837335
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