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Is Solitude Serenity? Is Alone Lonely?

On a couple of ocassions lately, I have mentioned to a good friend that I am traveling to some places near and some far to seek solitude. My next adventure will be spending a month in a Florida Airbandb this winter by myself. Apparently, this struck my friend as odd; she felt compelled to ask me why I would want to go for that long and be alone.

A little shocked that she was questioning my sanity, I am not sure that I gave her a good answer. First of all, I don't envision being entirely alone there. I have crochet friends in Florida who I am sure I will catch up with. I also have a cousin there and another dear firend who I am sure will at least spend a weekend with me.

I've already thought about pacing these visitors with some time in-between because I do think I might get a little lonely, but the opportunity to explore, crochet, read and do what I want when I want is very appealing to me! I am never at a loss for things to do and often feel like I am running on a treadmill to keep up. My crochet is my tranquility. It always relaxes me and has gotten me through some hard times!

My carry-on baggage for the trip will be chocked full of the projects that I want to work on while in Florida and all the supplies I need to happily crochet every day! That's not to say that I won't check out some local yarn shops as well!

As you probably already know if you've been following my here on the blog, I am a strong believer in the healthful qualities of crochet an have written about it often. I recently started a new chapter in the "rest of my life" when my husband died on July 1, 2016. I am proud of how I have adjusted and how I have focused on the fond memories and embraced happiness instead of despair.

You'll enjoy this video that clearly shows the power of crochet to bring joyful outcomes to families of hospitalized babies, as well as a calming mental state for the paramedics who crochet hats! My only wish is that the paramedic who speaks would feel pride rather than laughing in a way that converys insignificant value to what she is doing!

So what is :alone" to me? When I crochet alone, I am not lonely because I go to places of tranquility and joy; I find excitement in my creativity and as a project finishes I am content! I crochet with two groups also and enjoy the socializing and sharing. I am serene when I am alone, knowing that I can have a busy life but always return to solitude to recharge the batteries.

Where do you crochet? Does crochet bring you serenity? I'd love to have your comments here.


Comments

Nancy Marino said…
Hi, I'm Nancy and I live on the Space Coast of Florida. I have been crocheting for 50 (where has the time gone?) years. I hope it warms up for you. We are having a cold spell. I love spending time alone- probably too much. I don't deal well with stress, noise, drama. You would think being the oldest of 11 (all half siblings- I only grew up with 7 of them)... that I would be calm cool and collected under any circumstances and for the most part I am, but give me my fur babies, a cup of herbal tea and my yarn and I am a happy lady. It was quite an adjustment marrying after being single for 30 years.... would I do it again??? Enjoy your trip time here it is a beautiful state and so much to do. Happy New Year!
Anonymous said…
From Twisted1 on Ravelry: I totally get needing to be alone with one’s own thoughts and do not think it strange at all. It feeds the soul and allows the creative juices to flow freely.

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