Such words often stir feelings deep in our souls and hearts. As humans we tend to avoid such feelings and experiences. And yet we have had to often face all three more deeply this year than others. What do they mean? Are they the same? How are they different? Sometimes we find we want to just brush over the words and feelings that pop up and run to find someone and be busy. Yet some philosophies, spirituality and philosophy among them, encourage solitude at times. And in solitude we are alone.
Depending on the definition, loneliness is either physical isolation or the feeling of sadness over not having people around. Or, from a philosophical and psychological perspective, it is a feeling of having insufficient relationships or accessibility to others to meet the needs a person has at that time. It may simply be a need for companionship and with Covid-19 we cannot always get together as we’d like because it competes with need to stay at home more.
Solitude is defined as the less painful part of not having people available – being alone and enjoying that and finding comfort or relief in the silence, or as Paul Tillich defined it, “the glory of being alone”.
Alone is simply having no one else present. It’s a state of being, but not related to feelings.
Introverts often relish times of solitude and use them to recharge their batteries. I’m partially introverted, and a quiet evening alone is sheer enjoyment for me. I am in solitude, not feeling loneliness. However, an extrovert who recharges with others may face alone time after a busy day as painful and lonely. That person doesn’t have the others around to recharge with and thus the felt experience of solitude is very different.
I read a book by a philosopher and psychologist from the 1950’s, Clark Moustakas, that was entitled “Loneliness”. It was interesting as I read reviews of it on Amazon today – readers talk about it as not being the self-help book of the 2000’s, but rather a warm, inviting book, that asks us to look at what we are experiencing in the way of solitude versus loneliness and helping us to individually tackle the existential loneliness we are feeling at times. I truly believe the experience of loneliness is not unique to us – but rather something we all experience at times, and based on the situation of it, may feel like solitude is pleasurable or loneliness which is painful.
I was speaking with a friend who had cancer years ago, and one of the things she mentioned to me was that while she had family and sisters who were there to support her every step, and friends who were available and caring, the essence of her experience was a very lonely one. She had to go under the radiation with only herself. And eventually, she had to face her own death in some lonely ways. Yet she also had times of solitude when she experienced spiritual growth and connection. During Covid-19 many people are feeling lonely and depressed – others feeling solitude – and both can be in times they are alone or with others. But it is loneliness that leads to depression.
Depression is a reaction to longer term loneliness for some, and can leave a person feeling isolated, hopeless, and abandoned. On a rational level, we may know that we are not abandoned at all, and yet the isolation is hurtful. I can only imagine how isolating life is for many in senior care facilities or hospitals during this time. The time we most need connection and love and touch is the very time we are quarantining and not connecting or touching. And if a person has a limited memory, as many elderly do in senior care facilities, then that must feel like true abandonment. Thankfully iPads and other devices have allowed some connection for many; but, this is still not the touch and presence that can bring us out of loneliness. And unfortunately for many living alone and for others isolated in their living without time with friends, this is leading to higher levels of depression that has led to even higher levels of suicide than the past. This month is National Suicide Awareness month and it’s so important we remain aware that we can turn loneliness to more of an experience of solitude – for growth spiritually and otherwise that can become more positive rather than the intensely painful loneliness that underlies the suicide increases.
So how does a person make this shift? Here are a few ideas from multiple sources of both spiritual and psychological literature. Moustakas would encourage us to look within for what loneliness means to us, and how solitude might help us move out to a more healthy place. He believed that it comes through introspection and not just trying to change the environment. So asking yourself questions – what does it mean to you to not have people around as much? What do you believe that means about you? How did you come to have that belief? What are your spiritual beliefs about loneliness? Is there a way to walk into the loneliness and see what you might learn about yourself? How is loneliness helpful in your life right now? What is there for you to learn from it? Start anywhere in these questions and begin journaling about your own experiences and internal feelings. I would encourage you to move on to see where this goes and, if you can, look for Moustakas’ book (it’s hard to find but worth it) and take the journey he offers through it. One of the gifts of loneliness is shifting to solitude through which we find meaning or purpose in this time. In writing through exercises such as the above I do believe you’ll make your way through the desolation of loneliness to the peace of solitude.
If depression has you, then first deal with the depression. If it is significant and/or you have thoughts of self-harm at all – then you need to reach out for help now. Not later. There is a suicide hot-line at 1-800-273-8255 that is available 24 hours a day. If you don’t feel suicidal but the depression is strong, then reach out to your family doctor, gynecologist, therapist, or spiritual director/priest/rabbi and get some help for it. Only after this is resolved will you be able to move into the above ideas from Moustakas.
Don’t ignore the spiritual work you may be called to during this time that can soothe the loneliness. Starting a new practice can be helpful at times when we feel dark around us rather than the light of solitude. At other times hunkering down in a tried and true path is more comfortable. Regardless, consider which feels right to you and perhaps try walking a handheld or land-based labyrinth, focus on a daily reading, take a mindful walk in the park, reread a special spiritual book or passage in the Bible or your faith’s tradition and take comfort in the words.
In addition to the personal work, I would also encourage you to consider who else might be available. Call a friend and ask to do it face-to-face on WhatsApp or Facetime or Zoom or some other modality. Visual connection helps over only auditory and much more so than text. I also encourage walks – get out and move and at least see others in your neighborhood as it will give you a mild sense of connection to your community in a safe way. Other ideas to reaffirm connection can be joining an online class or service where there are regular Zoom or other meetings and you have the opportunity to interact with everyone; planning a weekend camping with a friend or a time at a cabin with friend or family member; volunteering where you feel safe such as walking a dog at a shelter- walking outdoors and cuddling with an animal might meet two needs in one; get a pet after considering what you can handle long-term, it may not be a dog or cat but perhaps a hamster or bird to keep you company. You get the idea.
Loneliness is a frequent feeling experienced recently, and may underlie the fatigue many are feeling in following pandemic safety. There are ways through it, as I’ve shared. John O’Donohue also writes about solitude and loneliness. May his words bring you encouragement, comfort, and increased solitude over pain.
With care and best wishes for growth and comfort to your heart,
Dr. Beth
Dr. Beth Sikora, PhD, LPC, NCC
thewholenessinstitute 