The Lost Art of Solitude by Drake Johnson

In an age of relentless connectivity and ever-present screens, solitude has become a rare commodity. Yet, as technology continues to evolve, our need for uninterrupted time alone with our thoughts has never been greater.

The modern world, fueled by innovation and social media, seems allergic to silence. We carry distractions in our pockets that fill every moment of potential stillness. But this constant engagement comes at a cost called solitude deprivation.

What Is Solitude Deprivation?

Solitude deprivation is the condition of spending nearly no time alone with your own thoughts, free from the input of other minds. Unlike earlier technologies that simply interrupted solitude occasionally like the car phone, devices like our smartphones have introduced the ability to be permanently distracted. We’ve entered a state of near-constant mental stimulation, where being alone no longer means being truly with ourselves.

Why Solitude Matters

In Solitude: A Return to the Self, psychiatrist Anthony Storr helped bring attention to a

long-overlooked truth. Solitude is not just a reprieve from social interaction, it's a vital ingredient in a well-lived life.

When we give ourselves the gift of solitude, we regain access to inner clarity. Time alone allows us to:

● Clarify hard problems by thinking deeply without interruption.

● Regulate our emotions by stepping back from external noise.

● Build moral courage by confronting uncomfortable truths without influence.

● Strengthen relationships by understanding ourselves more fully and showing up with

greater authenticity.

True solitude is not isolation; it is communion with the self. It anchors us. As Wendell Berry wisely put it, “We enter solitude, in which also we lose loneliness.”

Humans Are Not Wired to Be Constantly Wired

The human brain was not designed for nonstop input. Constant stimulation wears on our cognitive capacity, shortens our attention spans, and frays our emotional resilience. Without moments of intentional disengagement, we lose touch with our deeper selves. In short, a life without solitude is a life lived on the surface.

Solitude is not a luxury, it is a necessity for anyone seeking clarity, resilience, and a meaningful life. It’s time we stop fearing the quiet and begin embracing the wisdom it holds. Let us return, not to noise, but to ourselves.

Drake Johnson is the Spiritual Life Coordinator of the Urban Life Center. Connect with Drake at drake.johnson@ccosda.org