WHY IS SOLITUDE IMPORTANT?

Traveling through the Blue Ridge Mountain Parkway

Photo by me, Lucianna Coelho

Ever feel like you just need to get away? Like you're going to go crazy if you don't put some time aside for JUST YOU?

Well, that's what happened to me! Life happens. We get overwhelmed by daily life requirements - chores, the job (or jobs), kids, bills, taxes, cats, dogs, blogs ... blah blah blah ... GIVE ME A . FREAKING . BREAK!

Ha ha! Can you feel the intensity? That's how bad I needed to get out of my comfort zone and go connect with nature.

By getting away, I was able to be with my thoughts, my silence, my quiet and think outside of the box -- become creative about how I would take my business to the next level, and sort out so many other things that were weighing on my mind.

I had been contemplating it for a while, but was too chicken to actually get out there and get moving, so when my niece told me she would adopt our little rescue kitten, Paragon, I toyed with the idea of driving from South Florida up to Massachusetts.

So what did I do? I put my four-legged companion, Kahawa -- aka "Puppy" and Paragon in my car and started driving north!

Traveling with Pets

Okay, so traveling with animals is fairly easy but there are a few things to keep in mind before you drive long distance with your four-legged companion:

• Have a leash handy for your dog(s).
• Keep baby wipes handy for any body function accidents that may occur in your car (SMH).
• For traveling with cats - PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE -- especially if you're traveling with a kitten, use a cat carrier. This will prevent lots of added stress.
• Carry a drinking bowl and a feeding container for each pet.
• Keep some trash bags handy.
• Use towels or old blankets to cover your car seats.

Five Ways Solitude Is Beneficial

1. Solitude helps me to really hone in on the things that are most meaningful to me. Without the extra outside noise, my mind is clear to focus, organize and prioritize my life's goals.
2. Solitude helps you recharge. When I am alone, I am not only able to think more clearly, but it almost feels like my system gets an refreshing update. Meditate.
3. Solitude gives me the opportunity of really getting to know myself better. The outside world - including your family all have their own opinions -- but they also have their own journey. Only I can truly know what is best for me.
4. Solitude definitely births creativity in me. I am able to flow without anyone getting in my way and thus create something meaningful and beneficial for myself and others.
5. Solitude helps me to truly appreciate my loved ones much more than I would if I was always around them. When time is spent away from someone, you feel a deeper acknowledgment of the relationship and discover more to be grateful for.

There you have it! So, take some time for yourself on a regular basis.

Get to know yourself -- find the places that are still hurting and are asking to be healed within you. 

You will discover a beautiful labyrinth of uncharted territory and you will find that there is so much more hidden within that the world around you could benefit from.