There are ways in which solitude and solitary pleasures are among the loveliest, the most inexplicably un-shareable delights we can have. Even those things that are enhanced by happy sharing with one companion, or many, can only be experienced internally in our own unique ways, through our own highly individualized filters and lenses of taste, belief, experience, knowledge, and longing.
The beauty of this is that the best things I experience or encounter can be met at several different levels. Even when I am among a host of fellow travelers on the occasion, I can have that communal adventure and be guided and shaped in my sense of its goodness and meaning by any or all of those around me, while the reflections in my heart may say to me, “and yet…” or find me collecting all of the data of the moment in some private interior compartment for later examination.
In those after-times, I am at leisure to contemplate the whole and all of its components and think whatever I will, feel whatever I will, now that I’m left to my own devices. From this slightly removed angle, my own particular skew, I may find that the true enjoyment of this part of my life comes as much from within, from my imperfect yet fully tailored perspective being so well suited to make me like what I have seen, heard, tasted, and sensed in it. That is a subtly different but wholly wonderful part of living life: being able, in solitude (whether actually alone or not) to see what is marvelous and admirable, exciting and fine, to me on my very own terms.
Art-Colored Glasses 
I love this post…As much as I enjoy others…I do love solitude:)
I think that kind of space is essential for artists’ ideas to incubate. I also think good solitude is just plain enjoyable. 😀
xoxo
Finding happiness in solitude is learning to love yourself. So important~
Absolutely. Self-acceptance and appreciation are necessary precursors to acceptance and appreciation, never mind *love*, of anyone else! 🙂
xo
Lovely words as ever Kathryn; so,itude is such a precious gift for me these days. I never truly appreciated it until a few years ago and now I would be lost without the appreciation of it, whether I am alone or allowing myself that space even when with others.
Amen! For me, maybe most especially when with others. 😉 Have to recharge the batteries, since no matter how fabulous the company, it takes energy. I know that for true extroverts, the opposite can be true, but not for me! 🙂
❤
K
This is so YOU. =) Love every bit of it. Imagine a world of 5 billion Jane Smiths, name, body, brain, and soul.
Worse, still, to imagine even *one* exact clone of *me*!! 😉 Glad you enjoyed the post.
xoxo!
Hope you’re having some good health help… (((HUGS)))
Ok, two of you wOuld be overkill LOL but I wouldn’t want YOU any other way. Thx for the concern. I’m hanging in. A reader put it so well. I’ll take what she said about herself. Just tie that knot and hold on!
🙂
xo
That’s the artist’s compartment. I know you’ll continue to take good care of it.
Likewise, my dear! I’m certain that it’s always beautifully kept—and well decorated—when you’ve spent time in it!! xo