Richard G. Soper likes to eat alone. He wants
to be alone so he can read books, meditate, and think. Some people assume that
just because Richard loves to be alone must mean that he is lonely. However, this
is so farfetched from the truth, as Richard actually thrives on solitude.
What is solitude?
Many people equate solitude with loneliness,
but the two are as different as night and day. Solitude means that you actually
like being alone and that it is your choice to be alone in your company.
Meanwhile, loneliness means that you are looking for a companion, but there is
none to be had; it is a state that is imposed upon you by others. Richard G.
Soper points out that loneliness is dependent on others and makes one feel
isolated, while solitude is peaceful and satisfying.
As an advocate of self-care and wellness,
Richard says that everyone can benefit from moments of solitude.
It is necessary to give yourself time to just be,
instead of having to hurry through the paces of life with no direction.
Does being alone mean you are lonely?
Richard says he is at his happiest when he
nourishes his soul. By being alone, he can focus on meditating and communing
with nature. He doesn’t have to adjust his time to the whims of his
companions—he can do as he pleases, at his own time.
While Richard G. Soper benefits from it, he
does say that solitude may not be for everyone. However, he recommends that you
try to disconnect every now and then and a few moments of quiet with yourself.
You may use the time to contemplate, to recharge, or to simply sit still
without doing anything. You may notice that in the quiet that follows, you will
feel lighter and more contented.
