Monday's Quote: Honoré de Balzac

“Solitude is fine but you need someone to tell that solitude is fine.”~ Honoré de Balzac

Taken from his Goodreads Profile

This quote resonates with me the most probably because of my childhood. I enjoyed staying at home with a book. And, when I wasn’t reading, I would spend my time writing…again, alone in my room. One summer, I spent so much time alone that my father sent me to a summer camp to get me out of the house. I do believe solitude can be lonely. I have since learned that, when left all by myself for too long, I start to listen to my overly critical thoughts. Admitting that I do need socialization is weird because I am very much an introvert. However, I do need my alone time. Otherwise, I can’t be creative.

My father sending me off to camp was the first of a few people who didn’t understand my isolation. In college, my brother would try to take me out to social places. I felt society kept insisting that I shouldn’t want to be alone. In fact, I probably would have tried to change—an in turn become unhappy—if it weren’t for my mother. She always understood who I am. Don’t isolate yourself completely, but you don’t have to conform, either. It was her voice telling me all was okay that helped me become happier with my personality. And, in turn, I started to isolate myself less. Funny how life works.