My year of solitude ✨

[fizzythoughts]

So! You have a year entirely to yourself to do exactly as you wish... and spend time in solitude rurally in a cabin, or similar. Somewhere in nature to rejuvenate the soul and enjoy the simpler things in life.

How would you spend your time?

Okay so not an AIBU, but please share things that you would like to do to occupy yourself and create fulfilment. I'm gathering inspiration for how I would like to spend a year out away from the trials and tribulations of modern life and the intensity of city-dwelling. Recovering from depression. Also its unlikely I would be able to do this for an entire year so its fantasy, in large part, but we'll see!

So far on the list I have:
Cooking (and eating)
Walking - lots and lots of walking
Yoga
Reading
Swimming (somewhere secluded)
Painting
Writing
Being in nature
Minimal phone, internet and laptop usage
Therapy
Meditation
A consistent sleep routine

What would be on your list?

I would learn to do nothing without feeling guilty.
I would learn about the divine feminine.
I would learn chants and spend time staring into a campfire.
I would pay attention to the details of the cycle of nature, and record them.
I would possibly emerge unfit to live in civilised society - or with a deeper value on community and relationships.

@TheHoundsOfHell 🤣 why is that? Too long or not into solitude?!

Thank you! I moved into a rented cottage in the countryside while the marital home was being sold. It had been my ambition for some time but my ex prevented me.

Gosh. What an incredible experience @Atreus !! I am going to have a google and see what I can find that is similar to this...

What were your accommodation arrangements?

Thank you for the inspiration :)

Well then, I am glad you are free from the shackles of your ex!

And what a fantastic way to honour the start of a new chapter in your life.

What's next?

@Slavetotherhythm The book pun was unintentional 🥴

@fizzythoughts

A year of solitude! I'm having palpitations just thinking about it. I need people. I like conversation.
I could do a week and enjoy walks, reading, good food, nature. It could be restorative but anything longer would feel like a punishment.

This all sounds fantastic. Minus the paying attention to the cycle of nature part and keeping records - that would be much to much like hard work for me!

I cannot tell you how tempting this sounds @YesitsBess !!

There’s a whole network of albergues (Camino pilgrim hostels) along the route that people walking the Camino can access with their credencial (Camino pilgrim passport). They cost around 12-25 euros a night to stay in a dormitory but there are lots and lots of other places with private rooms if the dormitory thing is off-putting! I did a combination of both. There’s a YouTube video I saw before I went and I would share it with my friends and family when they questioned why on earth I wanted to walk across Spain. Here’s the link (it’s only about 4 mins). I’ve just rewatched it, it really reflects my experience and I’m seriously thinking about doing it all again!

I'd like no WiFi, no TV, lots of books, no clocks, a lake to swim in. I fantasise about allowing myself to get into a natural rhythm with sleeping and eating that wasn't dictated by time on the clock and other schedule issues (school, work, other people). Imagine just eating when you were hungry and sleeping when you were tired. I'd happily have a few animals to look after - chickens and goats maybe.

Thank you… It has been a fabulous year. The publisher has asked for another book so I’m writing a sequel!

Thus place is up for sale so I’m thinking about buying it. There is space for animals so I’m thinking about chickens. I’ve been growing my own fruit & veg.

I’ve had a very quiet but peaceful time. My ex had an affair & my dd went off to uni so it’s been solitary but very precious time.

😂 love it!

@fizzythoughts By all means PM me for more info, don’t want to derail the thread. I’ve never had a negative experience on MN by making contact direct despite everyone here being massively paranoid about being outed! My being outed would look quite boring…

You need good wine and lots of music too 💜

Swimming in open water.
Walks on the beach.
Meditation.
Daily guitar practice.
Drawing and painting.
Yoga.
Reading and reading and reading.
Writing.
Growing vegetables.
Baking.
Hot baths in the middle of the day.

Same here. Covid lock downs cured me of any romantic ideas about living in solitude and being self motivated. After day three I would just want to sleep. Need the stimulation of other people even if I’m not part of the crowd. Same reason a walk in the country does nothing for me. However, I live alone and have no problem pottering about on my own for a week, so long as I can get out for a bit of people watch.

Just like my lucky divorced brother in law .He's bought a secluded cottage surrounded by a forest and valley views in Scotland.He's got a stag that occasionally visits his garden.He can play his music at top volume because he has no neighbours.He wishes he'd done it twenty years ago..can't wait to visit maybe for a year would be nice would suit me.

I'm thinking of doing this over the winter. Well, for 90 days in the first instance! How remote is your place?

I would love, love, love to do this! And would do much the same as you @fizzythoughts
I would have to have my dog with me, to get me outside and walking.
In fact I plan on doing something like this in a couple of years’ time, when my last child leaves home.
I will write my novel. And paint, and read lots of books. And (hopefully) forget the horrid life I have at home.
The Camino de Santiago sounds fantastic……! Have wanted to do that for ages.
(If anyone is planning on doing that sometime soon, let me know!)

Horse drawn caravan or canal boat. Probably in Scottish Highlands (though in my fantasy its summer all year round!) Going wherever I fancy, always moving, life pared back to the most simple. Days in nature, nights in my cosy tiny space with a camp fire and candles.

#vanlife
Route 66 across the USA, then up through British Columbia and Alaska
It's my dream

I don’t want to derail so PM me but:

40 mins from airport, massive lake for swimming 15 mins, thermal baths, lively but old fashioned village, house is in the walls of a nunnery on the outskirts. 1 hour from south coast. Bread left on the door knocker every other day for 1€ and the gas man changes the cannisters for you if you bung him a few euro. Wood burner and enough contacts in the village to make sure you have wood!

I would build a garden for wildlife and include veg in it for me. Id have some animals, maybe chickens, a dog or rabbits
I would write and read, swim and walk. Id also do some carpentry and other crafty type things with no expectation theyll necessarily turn out well!

However I would also like the ability to meet up with my friends once every two/three weeks to keep me sane

Love this thread. Placemarking to catch up later.