Being Alone vs Being Lonely

One of them is a choice.

Solitude is a state of being alone.

A state of voluntary social isolation.

Solitude is not loneliness.

“Loneliness is the poverty of self; solitude is the richness of self.” — May Sarton.

The common misconception people have is they think loneliness and solitude are the same.

They aren't.

Think of them as opposite sides of the same coin.

Loneliness by definition is a disposition towards being alone. It is sadness resulting from being abandoned and into solitary isolation.
Loneliness can be addictively dangerous because of the quietness that comes with it.

It is like a hiatus from the chaos of life, once it hits overtime, it is officially a necessity, and this necessity makes other people and noises intolerable. It sinks you into deeper apathy.
Loneliness is dangerous because it can send your spirit of enthusiasm into a life sentenced prison.

Loneliness is feeling alone even with people surrounding you.

Solitude is less of that feeling. It is more of searching for a purpose in that state of being alone.
Solitude is the soul’s holiday, an opportunity to stop doing for others and to surprise and delight ourselves instead.

Image was cropped from a random meme on the internet.

The very common similarity of loneliness and solitude is that you're by yourself. (This is why it is difficult to tell the subtle difference.)

While loneliness may not be intentional for a start, but develops overtime, solitude is a conscious choice for a set period of time.
Solitude drives you from inside to discovering a profound purpose, while loneliness may begin from an external cause that leaves you on your own.

The beautiful relationship between life and solitude.

Life starts with unconscious solitude. For a purposeful life to continue, conscious solitude must be practiced.
Solitude helps you find purpose, solitude clears the fog, solitude gives peace, solitude heals, solitude is a renewing ritual, solitude gives you a new life, solitude is self connection, solitude helps you realize the formidable grace you didn't know you possess.

You want strength? Seek solitude and you will see courage and boldness leads from within.

You are with friends, family, mates and strangers and sometimes we need time out from these people. They can only tell you about life based on the perception they have about life. With solitude you can define life from your own perspective.

You're not just alone in life without these people, you're with powerful thoughts, ideas and they tend to become provocative actions when harnessed by Solitude.

What happens after you isolate yourself from socializing, you discover things, create new things and you see the power in solitude.
However, solitude is more than just social isolation, it is more of self reflection, awareness, and purposeful understanding for life.
For we are the only true person we know, therefore sometimes, we have to be with the only true person we know. We have to constantly practice this so it doesn't become strangely odd when life forces us to social isolation.
Life can force you to social isolation through betrayals, losses, insecurities…

One of the best things about solitude is that it teaches you when to be with others and when you need to be alone.

When you choose to stay on your own, people will come to you. At least someone if not people will step into your territory to test you. Things would distract you and try to make you cut out on that decision you made. At the end, it is left to you to decide whether distractions win or YOUR decision.

Such is life too. Whenever you want to get something out of life, you get challenged, you get tested, you get chances to back down, you get other forms of swings to let go. But at the end, you either get it or not.

Life is mysterious, we never know what’s next.
Solitude doesn’t mean you live untroubled, for every soul on earth has troubles for today and the future. However, solitude can help you navigate life calmly and subtly.

Again, solitude doesn't guarantee a troubled free life. Rather it paves a clearer picture of getting through troubles.

Other people being out of your business gives more room for a clearer and more responsible decision.
You don’t get to blame others for your actions because all decisions you make in a life of solitude depend on how you decide to respond to the turbulences in life.

I read about two possibilities that exist.
-1. It is either we are alone in the universe,
-2. Or we are not.
Both can be equally terrifying.

Enjoying your own company is a source of peace.
Your best decisions mostly will come from moments of quiet reflection.
Being in solitude helps you grow mentally and emotionally because it connects you to deeper thoughts.

Solitude is an opportunity for self discovery.
Solitude teaches you self reliance and independence.
It grooms the strongest people

There's nothing scary about consciously deciding to spend time knowing yourself. It is resuscitating.

Randomly came across this snap on a friend's story.

This explains solitude not loneliness.

People see strength in you when you stand alone, because just as it takes a lot to do it with people it also takes a lot to stand on your own compared to standing with a crowd.

Just like the word “Outstanding” solitude helps you Stand out. It means you are exceptional.
Being exceptional means you have to be okay with being the exception.

How can you not enjoy spending time with yourself?
Or have you never tried it?

Everyone at one point needs their own time, humans enjoy their space, humans like to create their own territory, for some reason, we are wired to want to be away from others once in a while.

That is why we create boundaries and are intolerant of some attitudes and characters.

If you can’t enjoy the company of yourself then you are a troublesome person. -Lily’s Chronicles.