Becoming more aware of what it is you like requires solitude. The ability to be with ourselves, is perhaps the most important life skill in a very disconnected world.
I'm not advocating isolation, I consumed enough of that bad boy as a leader, mentor, individual sport athlete. But the ability to do things by ourselves and for its own sake is important especially if you are a bloke.
Solitude charges our batteries, gives us processing time and creates a feeling of rootedness on our return.
If you have never done it before it can be a scary process. I went out to the cinema by myself as a start, then spent a night camping in the woods, then a week walking and camping in solitude and now I am happy to go anywhere and do anything by myself.
Although I don't often do it, usually preferring opportunities for connection, the knowledge I can is life changing in how I interact with the world.
I will sometimes visit friends in the UK without worrying about which ones I catch up with because I know I will enjoy the time by myself. Similarly, I will have the confidence to plan a trip and allow my wife to join as much or as little of it as she prefers.
By being ok with solitude and knowing what I like, I am less dependent on others and paradoxically, better able to connect with them.
What will you do by yourself?
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Peter
Check out my web-site: peterfrancis.ie and email me at: growth@peterfrancis.ie
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