32 to 40: On Solitude…

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My thoughts on solitude ~

I quite enjoy being alone, which is a good thing considering I am about to turn 40 years old while still “enjoying” my single life. 😉

Don’t get me wrong, I am NOT anti-social at all and I don’t have any issues meeting new people or being with people in general. Those that know me well wouldn’t call me shy or NOT social. BUT truth be told, often I prefer to be by myself. I often prefer solitude to being with big groups of people.

I enjoy my own company. Does that sound prideful? I don’t mean it to be. I suppose this comes partly due to the fact that I have spent my adult life thus far as a single person. (with a few relationships throughout)

Writing this inspired me to look up the definitions for introverts vs. extroverts.

My quick definitions:

Extroverts: get “re-charged” from things outside of  one’s self
Introverts: get “re-charged” from one’s own mental life

Though I definitely possess traits of the extrovert (enthusiastic AND talkative!), based on the definition I would say that I am much more introverted.

Now thinking back to my childhood, I can definitely remember seeking out my solitude. (Not a huge surprise really considering I grew up in a pretty busy household)

Here’s a picture that shows a bit of the back of our house:

You can’t really tell from this picture, but beyond what you can see if you go past the playhouse, (My parents built this for us – how cute is it?) is a huge (to me at the time) hill that I would climb. I’d trek up through the woods, with lunch/book in hand to get the top of the hill. Once I got to the top, my view would be of the river below.

I absolutely LOVED to do this. I would seek out other vantage points around my small town but always the view inspired me and always with the goal to enjoy solitude.

It was here on the hill that I learned to be with my own thoughts. I did pray and talk to God back then but at that time in my young life I really didn’t know the meaning of being in relationship with God…that would come later. BUT I knew there was something bigger than myself and I knew that my life would take me on a journey. I think my young mind felt the stirring of purposefulness, even back then. It’s very cool to remember these things…I hope you will do the same.

Today, I’m grateful that I am a woman that enjoys my own company. I pray and hope that one day I would be able to share my life with someone. I hope that my pleasure in solitude does not hinder my future relationship. I think I will be able to make the adjustment! 😉

What are your thoughts on being alone? Do you enjoy this time like me, or are you more often feeling lonely? Would love to hear it…