(2 minute read)
“There is rapture on the lonely shore
There is society where none intrude by the sea
And music in its roar
I love not man less, but nature more.”
Lord Byron, 1812
If we put the differences of introverts and extroverts aside and focus purely on the value of ‘time spent alone’, we can uncover enormous benefits to our mental and emotional wellbeing.
While most of us have experienced 2 years of rollercoaster lockdowns and restrictions throughout the pandemic, spending time alone could be the last thing on your mind.
However, in his description of solitude deprivation, author and academic Cal Newport believes that removing solitude from our lives can cause us to miss out on the subtle but deep value generated by a wandering mind.
“At the slightest hint of boredom, you can now surreptitiously glance at any number of apps or mobile-adapted websites that have been optimized to provide you an immediate and satisfying dose of input from other minds. It’s now possible to completely banish solitude from your life.”
It was June 29, 2007, when Steve Jobs launched the first Apple iPhone. This event is often referred to as ‘the day that boredom died.’
Enter Colin O’ Brady, a 10-time world record breaking explorer and one of the world’s best endurance athletes.
After enduring his own version of hell during an extended lockdown in his home and noting how frustrated his wife was becoming with his lack of drive or self-motivation, O’ Brady went out for a walk. He didn’t return for 12 hours!
The transformation he experienced – being alone with his thoughts – proved a turning point in the ‘funk’ he had been enduring. It also became an opportunity to share this form of self-enlightenment with others. (Considering O’ Brady had previously walked solo and unassisted across the Antarctic continent, 12 hours doesn’t seem so much!)
The 12-hour walk invites you to take a transformative one-day journey. An eye-opening experience to conquer your mind and unlock life’s limitless possibilities.
With our theme-of-the-month focusing on ‘Mindset Matters’, accepting the challenge set by Colin O’ Brady may be just what we all need – some quality time on our own and with our own thoughts.
O’ Brady is an advocate for what he refers to as the Possible Mindset – An empowered way of thinking which unlocks a life of limitless possibilities.
What a great antidote to the cut-and-thrust of our daily/weekly lives.
Authors footnote: I’ve registered, committed, and will be completing the 12-hour walk in September and would love to hear from any others who decide and commit to do the same.
