Most people are afraid of Solitude...Not having a friend or a partner or family with you all the time is something many people cannot imagine. But doesn't solitude have a beauty of its own? In fact if you consider this is in a philosophical way we come to the world on our own (unless we are one of the twins/triplets!), go from this world on our own and when we sleep (ie more than one third of our life time), we are on our own (not sure until we wake up)...

Solitude, I meant is not complete isolation or loneliness or complete lack of social contact. Infact on the contrary I meant it as living on our own at the same time having a great social life...It is important to make a distinction between 'Loneliness' and 'Solitude'.

Loneliness is a negative state, marked by a sense of isolation. One feels that something is missing. You can be in a big party and can feel completely lost or you could be with people you know and still feel lonely (I remember a movie written by MT Vasudevan Nair-'aalkoottathil thaniyae'..this concept is beautifully expressed!).

Solitude is the state of being alone without being lonely. It is a positive feeling and constructive state of engagement with oneself. In solitude you yourself are your best companion! Solitude would be an ideal opportunity to reflect on ones own life...A person will have all the time in the world and it is no longer time that controls you, but you control time. You are not adjusting your life for someone else but your life gets adjusted for you. There is no hidden agenda, no sacrifices, no disturbances...you are like a free bird. Solitude in this manner can be refreshing, rejuvenating, replenising and revitalizing ones own inner state of richness.

The duration and degree of solitude and its effects also depends on ones personality: For some its alright attitude and feel very comfortable on their own, some cannot remain on their own even for a few minutes and gets terribly disturbed and dissatisfied, for others like monks solitude is a way to spiritual awakening (specifically long-term solitude).

In scientific terms human nature is to form social/ personal relationships especially from a evolutionary point of view. Though long term total isolation can be disturbing and might have untoward effects on human physiology; solitude can be a bliss; where you are what you are, how you are and be 'yourself'.

I conclude by a popular quote: Loneliness is the poverty of self and solitude is the richness of self.