Defining Solitude

When I was telling Niyati about how I feel that Music and Poetry are two of the best companions one can have, something struck a chord in me. I think the real culprit, causing boredom, and escalating loneliness, is sheer laziness.

In general, when I feel bored, I look for a book (ebooks are slightly painful... when I say book, I refer to the paper ones). If I don't have an interesting one, I turn to my comp and start playing whichever RPG or Strategy game I'm currently obsessed with. If there is no game that can hold my interest at the moment, I idly browse the web. I look at my skates and think about setting out, but drop the idea for lack of company. I might pick up my cell phone and call or sms someone for no reason at all. I might even try to do my project work. But the net result, usually, is simply that I end up feeling dead bored. And lonely.

Why do I not turn to the one thing that has been my constant companion while growing up? Words. I mean, in the written form. I love to write. Poetry; Articles; Essays; Plays; Short Stories; even tried to write a novel! Laziness, with a capital L. If only I pick up the pen and start writing something, I'll get engrossed in it and I won't even feel time flowing. But I have to pick up the pen first.

Or why not just listen to some music? There are infinite bands to check out, recommended by various friends. I just have to make the effort to search for them and download them. There's nothing I can't find on the IIT LAN.

So having realized what I'm doing wrong, you might think that the problem is half solved. But you're wrong: such things don't apply to lazy people.

But, that's not what I really wanted this post to be about.

I define Solitude as the state of mind wherein one keenly feels the lack of company. This is very different from defining it simply as the lack of Human company.


You are not alone when you're reading a book.

You are not alone when you're listening to a song you like.

You are not alone when you're writing: be it poetry or prose.

You are not alone when you're going for an evening stroll: Nature is with you. The stars and the trees... and if you're in IIT, the deer.

You are not alone when you're sleeping or meditating: the whole world is with you.


You are alone if you are left with nothing but your thoughts. Your thoughts are you. You can't keep yourself company! Thats why the worst thing possible is to be alone AND depressed. It can only lead to a feedback loop of MORE depression and MORE loneliness!

I guess this is why kids have their own imaginary friends. Not me, though... even though I had few close friends, I had loads of books to read!

Cheers,
Prashanth.