Why Isolation Can Be A Good Thing (part 1)

Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by COVID-19, the selfless first-responders and critical care professionals, and all those who are critical to keeping things running during these trying times.

So many thoughts and feelings come to mind when we hear the word isolation. It’s something we both crave and fear at the same time. And sometimes isolation is God being right on time. By now, nearly everyone has become all too familiar with that word or some form of it (social distancing, shelter-in-place, quarantine etc.) due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic; and isolation is quickly becoming the new normal.

We Crave Isolation

There are times when we actually want to be alone. Whether it’s just needing time alone to de-stress, take a timeout, or maybe deal with some things. Before COVID-19 the normal hustle and bustle of life left many wishing for just a few moments to themselves; no distractions, no interruptions, and the freedom to “just be”. We all have those moments where we just want to be left alone, sometimes just for a little while, sometimes longer. But we know it’s only temporary and when we’re ready to jump back in the game of life, we do. We most often return feeling better than we did when we left because the isolation was voluntary. We were still in control, we decided how isolated we would be and when our isolation would end. When that choice (control) is taken away, that’s when fear creeps in.

“We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.”

-Edward Morgan Forster

Isolation Can Strike Fear in the Strongest

Our primal survival instincts tell us that isolation and solitude can be deadly. It wasn’t too long ago that people still needed to live in a community in order to stay alive. We needed food, shelter, and protection. We knew we needed our ‘tribe’ to survive. Today, one of most people’s greatest fears is being alone with themselves. And when isolation is mandatory, it can be downtown terrifying. 

“Don’t waste your life trying to impress others.”

-Buddha

Society tells people that they have to be perfect, and if they’re not, then they have no value as a person. The belief that a person’s value as a human being is determined by their degree of perfection, makes people think that their totally natural imperfections make them somehow “less than”. Human beings are not perfect, never have been, and likely never will be. EVERYBODY has flaws and imperfections. Everybody. The people judging you for your flaws have flaws, and they’re being judged too. After all, the best way to keep attention from yourself is to direct it elsewhere – “I’ll judge you before you judge me.” If everybody could see everyone else’s hidden flaws and imperfections, they would be surprised at how much they actually have in common! The next time you’re tempted to think you’re the only one with the flaws you have, know that you’re not alone. We ALL have flaws. And that is OKAY.

“Don’t give up. The beginning is always the hardest.”

-Buddha

And So the Journey Begins…

So while you have all of this “alone time” on your hands, until who-knows-when, reintroduce yourself to the real you, work on not being scared of yourself, and start making friends with the “you” that you discover. 

Let’s get lifted! 

V.

How have you been using your downtime? Comment below…