Published on 12:00 AM, March 01, 2018

Why I prefer solitude

One might love to spend their entire day alone, listening to "High Hopes" by Kodaline followed by some other songs. While one might love the thought at first, it might just grow stale after half an hour or so.  This is what mainly differentiates a person who loves solitude from one who doesn't.

After an unforgiving day, we look forward to de-cluttering our mind from stress and inhaling the calm air that the quietness around us has to offer — be it by diving into a book, listening to music or doing whatever we love to do.  Hence, we don't like to be disturbed.  As many assume, the want to spend time alone doesn't always stem from some sort of depressing event. It's just that some people love being loud and some don't. Solitude is more like an escape into the abyss of your thoughts.  It allows you to think deeply, ponder over a problem and find a solution. It also disconnects you from stress, and most importantly, helps you be yourself for a while without distractions. Like many great philosophers suggest, spending some time alone is necessary.

Despite many people misinterpreting the concept and deeming someone "unsocial", solitude is important. It gives you an opportunity to unwind while being completely free from judgemental stares and anything unwanted. As for me, I love spending my time alone on the rooftop every afternoon since it is a little quiet up there in this busy city — almost like the top of a mantelpiece, away from the fire. I find the perpetual feeling of being undisturbed, with the promise of reading, very satisfying. The rooftop brims with the feeling. It oozes an assurance that holds me tight. I can spend hours with Kodaline on, eyeing the streaks of red and pink in the sky, all alone, wishing to hit pause.

Shah Tazrian Ashrafi wants 2018 to be as smooth as stormtroopers missing easy shots. Send him prayers at tazrian1234@gmail.com