inspired by this article by @Xilo_K

solitude, as defined in various dictionaries, refers to the situation or state of being alone. yet, a person in solitude is never alone, for they must sit and live with their inner self.

the daily life of a person calls for their outer self to take center stage. it is the self that performs and socializes while the inner self secludes itself.

as society demands that one focuses on their career, and as every device is trying to grab one’s attention, rarely do the inner self gets the attention and care it needs to grow. the lack of inner growth necessitates a mundane and lackluster inner life.

instead of addressing the problem, many choose to avoid the boredom and look outward, and entertain their outer self exclusively: work more, consume more, socialize more. what they don’t realize is that the outer self is designed to perform - they have inadvertently chosen a life of performance.

being in solitude is not only about doing things alone. it asks one to look inward, to self reflect, and to address all the feelings that the outer self buried to keep things moving. it is the time to wonder and inquire.

here is another way to put this: the inner self is the soul, and the outer self is the body it is inhabiting. living with an unnurtured soul means operating a soulless zombie leeching on others to survive.