The Bliss of solitude

 The Bliss of solitude 

Neena had always blossomed in the company of others. Growing up in a large joint family, she was constantly surrounded by love, attention, and the lively chatter of cousins. These early experiences left a lasting imprint on her, shaping her deep appreciation for togetherness. Even after marriage, she became part of a close-knit household where relationships were cherished.

Her genuine love for people meant that she poured herself into nurturing and maintaining bonds. Yet, in doing so, she unintentionally overlooked one crucial relationship—the one with herself. Perhaps it was the caught up in daily chores, work, and raising children that left her with little time for introspection. The thought that time was ticking away rarely crossed her mind.

Neena had never really paused to look inward. Solitude didn’t appeal to her; in fact, she even avoided practices like meditation, perhaps because being alone made her uneasy. She lived with her husband and two sons, and during the times her husband was away, she made sure her sons slept beside her—more for her comfort than theirs.

So, when one day her teenage son asked to sleep in his own room, it hit her hard. That moment marked a turning point. It was the first time she realized she needed to learn how to be alone. It wasn’t easy. But slowly, she began to take small steps—exploring hobbies, spending more time reading, and intentionally managing daily chores on her own, even simple tasks like shopping. At first, the silence felt suffocating.

But as the years passed and her children grew up and moved out, Neena began to truly test the habits she’d started building. This time, though, solitude didn’t feel heavy—it felt freeing. She discovered parts of herself she’d never explored, took on new interests, and found joy in things she once thought were beyond her.And to her surprise, she handled it all with grace. She started enjoying her own company. For the first time, she understood what it meant to truly connect with herself—and it felt good.

Now, with a gentle smile, Neena reflects, “Maybe this is the kind of wisdom that only age can bring. I’ve started to enjoy being alone—not because I don’t love the people around me, but because I’ve finally learned to love myself.”