Why spending time alone – being all-one – is so good for you…

 

 

Having done this more times than we’d care to remember over the years, we can guarantee what the response will be. 

 

Why on earth would I want to spend time alone? 

 

What will I do? 

 

Won’t everyone think I’m “Billy no mates”? 

 

Something much less polite (!). 

 

Now, isn’t it interesting that spending time alone is seen in such a negative light by so many people. But is it really such a bad thing? 

 

If you look up the word “alone” it’s little wonder this short word has such negative connotations for many people. 

 

Here are a selection of meanings taken from a couple of online dictionaries: 

 

Unaccompanied, without any person. 

 

Without help from others. 

 

Done without others, without company. 

 

And if that wasn’t enough, there’s then: 

 

Abandoned, deserted, isolated. 

 

It hardly sounds like anything you’d want to be doing voluntarily, does it? 

 

The interesting thing is that nowhere did we see any mention of the origins of this word – or what it really means. But when you do a very different picture emerges. 

 

Go back into the mists of time and you’ll find that alone started life as two words. All-one. Just one more letter, but a very different word. One that feels completely different. 

 

Its original meaning was of being whole, complete and at peace with yourself. And, even better, of being in harmony with the world and people around you. 

 

If you’re wondering what this means in practice, look at the indigenous people and the way they live their lives. The aborigines of Australia or bushmen of Africa. 

 

Or closer to home, those who are at peace with themselves and the world around them. And we’re not just talking about hippies either! 

 

That’s all very well we can hear you saying, but what about those of us who live in the “real world”. With all the stresses that modern life involves. Are you saying that we’ve got to go off for days on our own and contemplate our navels? 

 

No. Of course not. 

 

While it may not always seem like it, we’re here to make your life simpler, not more complicated! 

 

Instead, what we’re suggesting is taking a little time to be all-one each day. Of spending a few minutes – say, 15 or 20 – away from all the hurly burly of modern life. The important thing is that it’s somewhere away from everyone else and, ideally, outside in nature. Think of it as a mini holiday, easily made part of your day. 

 

A walk with the dog. Potter in the garden. A nice comfy chair in the sunshine with a cup of tea. 

 

If you’re out and about, park the car somewhere quiet and go for a wander. Or just open the window and watch what’s going on in nature around you. 

 

Take a few deep breaths. Let your head switch off and enjoy the peace it brings. 

 

If you want to meditate, great. If you prefer to just watch the clouds or birds flying overhead, that’s good too. 

 

Yes, thoughts will pop into your mind. And the Little Monster in your Head will probably have lots to say. About how selfish you’re being. Or how can you be sitting down when there’s so much to be done. And lots more besides. But just tell him – or her (!) – to stop, not now. And go back to enjoying the peace and quiet. 

 

You’ll feel so much better afterwards. Your mind will be clearer. Batteries topped up a little. Energy levels increased. 

 

And, ironically, by taking time to be all-one you’ll be much more efficient when you start doing things again. 

 

By breaking the habit of rushing from one thing to the next, you’ll get much more done during the rest of the day. Trust us, it works. 

 

Taking time out also boosts our creativity. We’ve all done it and had those bright ideas “out of the blue” as soon as we let our minds wander. 

 

So, does taking time to be all-one still sound like such a bad thing? Or feel so scary? 

 

Probably not. 

 

The question is whether you’ll do it for yourself. Start taking some time each day and seeing what happens. Go on, we dare you! You never know, the results may surprise you… 

 

As always, the choice is yours.