Why would I go on a solo?

Zoë Chaytors

“going on a solo”= spending intentional time alone in nature, ranging from 10 minutes to days long

I don’t remember when I started going on ‘solos’ specifically, but I have been camping and spending long periods of time outside alone since I was in my early 20s. In the old days, these used to be hiking marathons or really intense trips about adventures.

These days, going on a solo is about having an extended amount of time in solitude and in nature just for me. Yes, solitude is important to me and nature is important to me, but what I’m really getting out of a solo is time with myself in a really intentional way.

Solitude and nature are the mediums that help me hear from my own body and my own psyche.

Solos are always 2-fold for me:

-       Yes, I want to do psychological work on a solo.

-       And I want to really just be with me.

There’s a million and 5 studies about how time in nature makes you feel – you’re more creative, your heart rate goes down, you relax and destress. So, there are certainly many science-y pieces about why people go into nature alone.

And I don’t care about the science-y pieces.

I love how I feel on a solo.

And I love how I feel when I come back from a solo.

Both during and after a solo, I am flooded with feeling:

• Alive

• Competent

• Grounded in who I am

• Steady

• Clear about what I want in my life
  

And, I am happier.

Last night I was at an event where people were asking about why I go on solos.

I gave them my usual pitch about exploring my inner world, etc., etc. But the part that really resonated with them was that it was really important for THE OTHER PEOPLE IN MY LIFE that I’m actively making time to go address my stuff and take care of my inner life.

ALL my relationships are better because I go on solos.

As I grow my capacity to be attuned to myself and in touch with my own body, it has a reverse effect of me being better able to be attuned to OTHER people. 

I feel less worried and less anxious about what other people need and want when I’m really clear about where I’m at. I can only get that consistently when I dedicate myself to solos.

So, the short answer to why I go on solos?

1.     Yeah, yeah, cause science tells me so.

2.     Because it makes me so happy.

3.     I like me more when I spend time with myself.

4.     I am better for all the people in my life.