“Solitude” is the theme for this week’s photo challenge hosted by Hugh’s Views and News.
Featured in this photo is my daughter finding a moment of solitude on the beach surrounded by other swimmers. Lost in her own world, she simply sits in the wet sand enjoying the sun as waves roll back and forth over her feet. I have several photos of her over the years in this very position.
What brings you solitude and where do you look for it? As a “former” introvert, I needed quiet time and solitude to recharge my battery after a long day. This quote suggests that asking to be left alone may be off-putting to others around us.
Many of us bloggers are likely introverts by nature given the fact that we love to read and prefer to get lost in a good book, rather than talk about our feelings or spend time socializing.
It is possible to grow out of being an introvert. By the time I reached my mid-40s and experienced graduate school with a classroom of 20-30-something students, I relished the social connections made during evening classes. By the time classes got done at 9:00 pm, trying to go to sleep at a decent hour after being charged up with great classroom debate was difficult. In my previous introverted days, three hours of social debate and discourse would have exhausted me and bedtime would have been welcomed!
Although I classify as a mild extrovert according to Myers-Briggs Temperament Inventory, I still seek solitude in quiet places. I still get lost in a good book, and reading on the beach or in the mountains will take me into solitude quickly.
Temperament and personality assessment is a fascinating subject. Click on one of my old posts, “Brief Introductions to Temperaments” if you are interested.
And please feel free to join Hugh’s weekly photo challenges any time.
Where do you find solitude?
Second Wind Leisure Perspectives 
Wonderful post Terri, I love your perspective on solitude and it’s a great photo of your daughter alone amid all the other swimmers. She looks perfectly content in her own company.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, and I like that…content in her own company 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful and insightful post, Terri. The photo is very gorgeous too.
Who could have thought of you as a former introvert?
I didn’t. Thank you so much for sharing your story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Lucile and so kind of to say so 🙂
LikeLike
You’re most welcome! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a lovely photo. I like to have a bit of solitude now and again too, Terri 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Judy, I imagine we all do to some degree!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely photo, Terri! Solitude is important! It certainly is important to me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, PJ!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think there are many degrees of introversion, probably just as there are for extroversion. I definitely consider myself an introvert, but I also enjoy being social. I recently read an article that, through a series of questions, pinpointed ones introversion along an X Y axis chart… it was really interesting. I love the picture of your daughter alone with her thoughts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Janis, there are degrees of both. Sometimes I feel I jump around on that scale 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
A great example of solitude, Terri. You daughter looks to be enjoying every moment of her solitude despite being surrounded by other people on the beach. I think the sound of waves also help in getting our minds to relax and to enjoy the moment. We should all take more solitude moments. I’m sure we’d all benefit greatly from it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Hugh! I had a whole ‘nother photo planned, then ran across this one. It spoke a few more volumes of solitude! Great challenge!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I remember you saying how you had so many photos for this week’s prompt. The one you chose is great. It really shows what being in solitude is all about.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely post Terri, and great photo. It’s about getting some extra me-time I think. And sometimes it only needs to be a short break away.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, DJ! Escape comes in all packages 🙂
LikeLike
Such a nice photo. As much as I enjoy being around people and being social to some degree- I do love solitude.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! I feel a lot of writers use solitude for reflection.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I also went with a beach scene for my solitude post Terri. I was very shy when I was young, and still remain intrinsically shy though I am more outgoing than I used to be!
LikeLiked by 1 person
There is just something about the beach!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Terri, glad you enjoyed!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We are quite alike Terri! I love getting lost in a book and I find I need time alone to reflect and breathe. Some people feel that having solitude means you are lonely but that is far from the truth. Thank you for linking up with us at Over the Moon. I always enjoy your writing. xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks,Sue, always a pleasure to hear from you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Terri yes we should talk more often! I wanted to tell you that your post was in my top two picks for Over the Moon this week. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and I found the Temperament and Personality assessments interesting. Have a great weekend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, Sue, that’s great, thanks so much!!
LikeLike
I love my walks with Zeke. Though I guess technically I am not alone, he doesn’t exactly disrupt my contemplations… My mind is set free to go where it will and I find myself re-connecting with me. Nothing better than solitude when we desire it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes! Love the solitude in walking my dogs. I get so many good ideas for the blog and the opportunity to clear my mind and gain another perspective!
LikeLiked by 1 person