Page 4 | My year of solitude ✨

fizzythoughts · 2022-09-24T17:12:17+00:00

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?

GuyFawkesDay · 24/09/2022 22:19

House boat
Me and the dog
Walk, paint, watch the wildlife.
Wood burner cosy evenings with a book and wine
I think I'd like to be not totally isolated so out of a village on a nice mooring or near a cafe or similar by the towpath not to speak to anyone necessarily but just to people watch and get things.

Although I am extroverted to outsiders I crave solitude and time alone. I spent a weekend walking in Connemara/Galway and I was in absolute heaven. Day out on the hills, evening with people. Was perfection.

mistopheles · 24/09/2022 22:28

Yoga
Philosophy
Walking
Kayaking
Reading
Learning cello, guitar, or similar
Wok cooking
Sushi making
Stargazing

Bliss yessssss
Didn't get to do any of this in lockdown as busy bagsing Tesco's slots and cooking and home schooling and creating much family fun. If I'd been alone I think maybe I would have done the above.

Adultchildofelderlyparents · 24/09/2022 22:39

Get into a sleep routine that matches sunrise/sunset.
Some time to just "think" and just "be".
Walking.
Wild swimming, or some other nature-focused exercise.
Reading for pleasure.
Creative writing.
Some creative tasks like painting, knitting, crafting using natural materials from the surrounding area (FWIW I am rubbish at arty thing but that wouldn't matter, id still enjoy doing it).
Observe the seasons, weather and nature, learn about them, how they change, and how to live with them.

This all sounds wonderful! Can I join you - at a respectful distance away of course

RoseyPalm · 24/09/2022 22:41

London
Live in Baker Street. Subscription to London Library.
Member of The Diogenes Club.
Lunch once a month with Albert Campion and Peter Wimsey.
Walk on South Downs. A few days at The Pelican Speenhamland.

loeweviva · 25/09/2022 06:35

I got stuck in a rural unsociable village with a young child in lock down and the loneliness nearly ended me. I'm now back in a town centre recovering and it's funny to see your opposite type of recovery. Actually our lists are not that different, lots of yoga, cooking etc but mine is with and among lots of people.

BirdinaHedge · 25/09/2022 12:56

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

Thing is @fizzythoughts (and other PPs) wherever we go, we take ourselves with s.

So the better, more productive question is Why are you day-dreaming about this? It's impossible for most of us to have a 'year of solitude.' Imagining what we'd do IF we had this impossible thing just postpones thinking about what you can do NOW.

From that list, what could you do now?
Cooking & eating
Well, we all have to do that anyway. What about learning a new dish once a week; looking at interesting cookbooks from, say, OxFam, and trying new recipes. Shopping & eating differently
Walking - lots and lots of walking
It would be easy to introduce more walking into your life. Make walking your main way of getting about. Or spend a day a week going on a long walk, perhaps taking your family with you, and maybe learning map navigation skills?
Yoga, reading, swimming, painting, meditation
Ask yourself - HONESTLY - what is stopping you from adding one or all of these into your life? Give up television and paint or do a yoga session once a week, or 15 minutes of Sun Salutations every day.
Writing
Write every day. I'm a writer as part of my job - there's no magic formula. Just write. If you need inspiration, I recommend Ann Mott's Bird by Bird, or Peter Elbow, Writing with Power, with lots of tips to get you started. Or just write a journal every day

And so on.

But magical thinking will not suddenly change you. It takes deliberate & conscious effort, not wishful thinking. Go for what you can do NOW, not wish your life away.

Original poster

fizzythoughts · 25/09/2022 13:55

loeweviva · 25/09/2022 06:35

I got stuck in a rural unsociable village with a young child in lock down and the loneliness nearly ended me. I'm now back in a town centre recovering and it's funny to see your opposite type of recovery. Actually our lists are not that different, lots of yoga, cooking etc but mine is with and among lots of people.

Interesting... and yes :)

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Original poster

fizzythoughts · 25/09/2022 13:57

WindyKnickers · 24/09/2022 21:39

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.

I really love this idea of not living to time/ ignoring time for a short while. I have added that to my list! Thank you...

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Original poster

fizzythoughts · 25/09/2022 13:58

Atreus · 24/09/2022 21:39

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!

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Fab, thank you!

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Original poster

fizzythoughts · 25/09/2022 14:01

ShirleyJackson · 24/09/2022 21:54

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.

I have taken your 'hot baths in the middle of the day' and adapted it to 'baths in total darkness'. Might sound odd I know, but the idea of bathing in a place where there isn't any light whatsoever is quite appealing to me. Something to do with being able to fully relax / or ponder without distraction...

Need some luxe bath oils too

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Original poster

fizzythoughts · 25/09/2022 14:02

SurreyHillsinspring · 24/09/2022 22:01

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.

This is the dream...

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Original poster

fizzythoughts · 25/09/2022 14:05

sillylily23 · 24/09/2022 22:17

Love this thread. Placemarking to catch up later.

:)

I only wish more people had contributed so that we could get further inspiration!!

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OvertiredandConfused · 25/09/2022 14:10

Australia, without you, just no!

Grandparents is trickier. It comes down to family norms, what you are comfortable with and what they DC would enjoy.

My DC went to France for two weeks with my parents, sister and her family (she has children the same age and they are close) when they were about 10 and 12. They all loved it and it really helped with childcare in the school holidays! But they know my folks well and they live locally. We won’t have done the same with DH parents.

Original poster

fizzythoughts · 25/09/2022 14:10

Adultchildofelderlyparents · 24/09/2022 22:39

Get into a sleep routine that matches sunrise/sunset.
Some time to just "think" and just "be".
Walking.
Wild swimming, or some other nature-focused exercise.
Reading for pleasure.
Creative writing.
Some creative tasks like painting, knitting, crafting using natural materials from the surrounding area (FWIW I am rubbish at arty thing but that wouldn't matter, id still enjoy doing it).
Observe the seasons, weather and nature, learn about them, how they change, and how to live with them.

This all sounds wonderful! Can I join you - at a respectful distance away of course

I like your list @Adultchildofelderlyparents ! Could you say more about how a sleep routing that matches sunrise/sunset would work?

What do you do when the sun sets? Surely not go to bed because in winter it would be 4pm ish? Or is it more that that is when you start to wind down...?

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OvertiredandConfused · 25/09/2022 14:11

OvertiredandConfused · 25/09/2022 14:10

Australia, without you, just no!

Grandparents is trickier. It comes down to family norms, what you are comfortable with and what they DC would enjoy.

My DC went to France for two weeks with my parents, sister and her family (she has children the same age and they are close) when they were about 10 and 12. They all loved it and it really helped with childcare in the school holidays! But they know my folks well and they live locally. We won’t have done the same with DH parents.

Sorry, wrong thread!

Original poster

fizzythoughts · 25/09/2022 14:12

RoseyPalm · 24/09/2022 22:41

London
Live in Baker Street. Subscription to London Library.
Member of The Diogenes Club.
Lunch once a month with Albert Campion and Peter Wimsey.
Walk on South Downs. A few days at The Pelican Speenhamland.

Nooo - this is about as far from rural as you can get! 😂 But each to their own of course. And I have learnt something as had to google the Diogenes Club.

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Original poster

fizzythoughts · 25/09/2022 14:15

BirdinaHedge · 25/09/2022 12:56

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

Thing is @fizzythoughts (and other PPs) wherever we go, we take ourselves with s.

So the better, more productive question is Why are you day-dreaming about this? It's impossible for most of us to have a 'year of solitude.' Imagining what we'd do IF we had this impossible thing just postpones thinking about what you can do NOW.

From that list, what could you do now?
Cooking & eating
Well, we all have to do that anyway. What about learning a new dish once a week; looking at interesting cookbooks from, say, OxFam, and trying new recipes. Shopping & eating differently
Walking - lots and lots of walking
It would be easy to introduce more walking into your life. Make walking your main way of getting about. Or spend a day a week going on a long walk, perhaps taking your family with you, and maybe learning map navigation skills?
Yoga, reading, swimming, painting, meditation
Ask yourself - HONESTLY - what is stopping you from adding one or all of these into your life? Give up television and paint or do a yoga session once a week, or 15 minutes of Sun Salutations every day.
Writing
Write every day. I'm a writer as part of my job - there's no magic formula. Just write. If you need inspiration, I recommend Ann Mott's Bird by Bird, or Peter Elbow, Writing with Power, with lots of tips to get you started. Or just write a journal every day

And so on.

But magical thinking will not suddenly change you. It takes deliberate & conscious effort, not wishful thinking. Go for what you can do NOW, not wish your life away.

Thank you for this @BirdinaHedge :)

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RoseyLentil · 25/09/2022 14:21

I'd travel around the UK, France, Spain and Portugal in my camper van.

RosesAndDahlias · 25/09/2022 14:24

@BirdinaHedge
Yes, that’s fine, and much of what you say is very true, but……

For me, the whole idea would be to get away from the house where I live, modern living, the constant chores, shopping for the family, piles of washing, my husband, and just THIS house (and, to be honest, the bad memories here).

I already try to do many of the things you mention. It is easy to get out and go for walks…..but there’s always other stuff waiting at home that needs to be done.
And I do try to write at home but, personally, I need no distractions - and if it’s going well, I want to be able to continue and not stop to make dinner for the family.

I haven’t decided yet whether I want to move permanently, but a year or so away may persuade me to go, or alternatively make me realise that it’s not that bad here after all.

Original poster

fizzythoughts · 25/09/2022 14:41

RosesAndDahlias · 25/09/2022 14:24

@BirdinaHedge
Yes, that’s fine, and much of what you say is very true, but……

For me, the whole idea would be to get away from the house where I live, modern living, the constant chores, shopping for the family, piles of washing, my husband, and just THIS house (and, to be honest, the bad memories here).

I already try to do many of the things you mention. It is easy to get out and go for walks…..but there’s always other stuff waiting at home that needs to be done.
And I do try to write at home but, personally, I need no distractions - and if it’s going well, I want to be able to continue and not stop to make dinner for the family.

I haven’t decided yet whether I want to move permanently, but a year or so away may persuade me to go, or alternatively make me realise that it’s not that bad here after all.

I agree with you @RosesAndDahlias . there is a big difference in being able to do some of these things interspersed with the mundanity of stress of every day essential chores whilst also caring for others, and having a year - or a considerable stretch of time - devoted entirely to this and to the self.

New scenery too, like you said... new surroundings. That is all part of it. And to step away from modern living for a time and just live life at a slower and more intentional pace.

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beastlyslumber · 25/09/2022 14:42

poppym12 · 24/09/2022 18:52

Ideally travel around some of my favourite islands, staying wherever I wanted for however long I wanted to. Trouble is they're in Europe so only 90 continuous days is allowed now before having to leave for another 90 days.

Greek islands for 90 days, Croatian islands for 90 days...

Smellywellyhoo · 25/09/2022 14:50

I'd prefer to be in a city or near amenities. I'm not an outdoorsy person and would get bored.

poppym12 · 25/09/2022 14:54

beastlyslumber · 25/09/2022 14:42

Greek islands for 90 days, Croatian islands for 90 days...

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Good idea. Spend time in Croatia or even Cyprus.

Runningintolife · 25/09/2022 15:00

I'd do a journey because travelling becomes the purpose then, and the minimalism of whatever you can carry is the detox and the people you come across along the way are the social community. Like Grandma Gatewoods walk or Tge Salt Path. The changing scenery and the rhythm of walking is healing and often an urge of people recovering from trauma.

YetAnotherSpartacus · 25/09/2022 15:00

It would make a fantastic reality TV show. Sign me up!