Solitude, Not Isolation

Hey friend, hey!

Welcome to a new week. This week’s episode, "Solitude, Not Isolation," is an extension of the subscriber-only essay I posted on lovemaaden.substack.com, titled The Magic of Me Time. The essay delves into the transformative power of solitude, the practice of intentional quiet time, how creative pursuits can enhance our "me time," and the red flags to watch out for as we navigate the perils of loneliness and isolation.

I shared a snippet from the essay to set the stage for our conversation:

“For as long as I can remember, I’ve been the type of person who is energized by connection with those around me. Not just that, being around other people gives me a sense of security. If I’m honest, I haven’t always felt as comfortable with being alone. And because of this, for a long time, I’ve centered my identity around busyness, projects, and activity. In part, because those things fuel me but also because they'd make me feel less alone.

The last few years have turned this totally upside down. A year after giving birth to our miracle baby – an effort I had obsessed over for the five years leading up to her arrival – I went directly from a season of post-partum seclusion into a season of pandemic isolation. I was quite literally forced into stillness and solitude. A place that was especially uncomfortable for me, on top of the looming anxiety and shared trauma that we are all navigating. Yet in doing this, over time, I discovered that there is a “magic” in “me time” that I had not fully experienced until then…”

In my conversation with Tennille, we discuss the practice of inviting God into our alone time and share tips for establishing a quiet time routine as a peaceful sanctuary. We also explore the idea that without intention, solitude can sour into loneliness and discuss its impact on our mental and emotional well-being, especially when loneliness infiltrates our relationships. We offer guidance on how to combat this while still preserving the practice of solitude.

Our prayer for the week is as follows: "God, thank you for showing us what solitude looks like and reminding us to unplug from the busyness of life to seek stillness and seek You. Thank you, Lord, for your word, which instructs us to 'Be still and know that You are God.' We don't need to wear busyness as a badge; instead, we can release our burdens and turn inward and upward. Help us recognize that there is healing in both our alone time and in time spent with others, as long as we approach them with intentionality. In Jesus’ name. Amen."

Our practice for the week is as follows: "I commit to giving my 'me time' more attention and intention. I will remain mindful and vigilant against loneliness by keeping pathways open to stay connected with God and loved ones during this time."

We invite you to tune in, join the conversation, share your thoughts in the comments below, and embark on the journey of practicing solitude with intention in your own life! Also, here are the links to our “love its” for the week:

• Maaden - Cora Feminine Care

• Tennille - Morgan Harper Nichols

*Disclaimer: I am much better now – thanks to Jesus, steroids & antibiotics – but I do a lot of coughing in this episode. Appreciate the grace from our listeners. Also, thanks Tennille for doing extra reading for me again this episode!*

Love, Maaden