Why is SOLITUDE a blessing ?
How can you feel solitude in Saigon (Vietnam), a city populated by over 9 millions? To me, solitude is a state of mind, it is being alone without being lonely, it's how I can absorb myself in my own world and what I make of it. I recently learned to embrace solitude, and stop being afraid of it. Live with it, accept it and it can be a powerful asset.
"The monotony and solitude of a quiet life stimulates the creative mind." Albert Einstein
In today's constantly connected world, finding solitude has become a lost art. Seeking for solitude can actually be quite healthy. We live in a state of relentless connection. When we are not connecting physically, we are connected through some other mediums, smart phones, social medias and apps. These days the concept of solitude is starving. Society makes us believe that being completely alone is a form of vulnerability.
But in fact solitude is a good thing, it helps you reconnect with yourself and finding your own voice. Solitude helps you improve your concentration and increase productivity. It provides time for you to think deeply. It also helps you work through problems more effectively. Solitude is essential, in the process of creation.
It is commonly believed that solitude is loneliness, and will in turn bring anxiety and sadness. The difference between solitude and loneliness is perspective.
"In solitude the mind gains strength and learns to lean upon itself." Laurence Sterne
If we can reverse the fear of being isolated, we can turn it into a tool for development, and be happier and more creative as a result.
I’ve learned that it’s important to welcome solitude and connect with myself in order to have an intimate relationship with my mind and to produce quality work.
Solitude also helped me to be a better trader. It helps me to be more focus on the process when i am in front of my charts, looking for patterns and setups, and opportunities to enter the market. As trader, I need those moments for myself, undistracted by my surroundings.
1. Solitude gives us a chance to reboot our brain and unwind. Constantly being "on" doesn't give our brain a chance to rest and replenish itself. Being by ourselves with no distractions gives us the chance to clear our mind, focus, and think more clearly.
2. Solitude allows us to improve our concentration and increase our productivity. When we remove as many distractions and interruptions as we can from our day, we are much more able to focus, which will help us get more work done in a much shorter amount of time.
3. Solitude helps us work through our problems more effectively. It's hard to think of effective solutions to problems when you're distracted by incoming sources of information. I've learned to stop listening to friends predictions, to CNBC Breaking News, to CNN Alerts...etc
4. Solitude gives us more opportunity to discover ourselves and find our own voice. When we are part of a group, we are more likely to go along with what the group is doing or thinking, we are distracted by noise and our actions are not always in pair with the decisions we would make if we were on our own. As traders, we should only listen to ourselves and to trust our trading plan.
It's been over a 7 weeks that I landed in South East Asia , and despite the eye infections and the food poisoning, I fully enjoy spending time with myself. I've been very productive, working on my daily routine, my blog and my trading plan. Despite knowing all the benefits that solitude can bring, it can be a challenge to find time alone in a city that never sleeps.
"The best thinking has been done in solitude. The worst has been done in turmoil." Thomas A. Edison
VTL
