This week, show us what being alone means to you.
Editors’ Note: Starting February 8, we’ll publish Weekly Photo Challenges on Wednesdays, instead of Fridays as we currently do.
“Solitude is the place of purification.” — Martin Buber
Many people equate solitude with loneliness, but I find it comforting and restorative. Because of social media’s ubiquity, we are constantly connected to others. Even when we are physically alone, we are very rarely truly solitary. Unplugging is good, and introspection is important, but most of us don’t get enough opportunity to do either.

Little girl, big ocean. Photo by Jen Hooks.
“We live in a very tense society. We are pulled apart, and we all need to learn how to pull ourselves together. I think that at least part of the answer lies in solitude.” — Helen Hayes
My husband and I are both “social introverts”, and we are raising our children to prize solitude. My eldest (pictured above) and middle daughters enjoy their personal time very much, and I’m hopeful that security in solitude will help them cope with life’s inevitable, occasional loneliness. Even our youngest, at three, is comfortable with being alone. For our family, we find that just the right amount of solitude makes together time that much sweeter.
This week, show us what being alone means to you. If you’re finding yourself surrounded by too many people, or too many sensations, or too many obligations, take a quiet moment for yourself. Seek solitude, and reset. Or, perhaps you find yourself isolated too often, and solitude evokes negative emotions that photography can help you work through.
I look forward to seeing your interpretations of this challenge!
Alone – one of his or her own – own of a kind: https://solaner.wordpress.com/2017/02/03/wpc-solitude/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice photo. Here is one of many soiltude shots found in my shoe-box:
http://wp.me/p3gqMf-Ae
Happy weekend!
LikeLike
Lovely photo of your daughter 🙂
Here’s my solitary little wren…
https://elleturner4.wordpress.com/2017/02/03/little-jenny-wren/
🙂
LikeLike
Precious wren
LikeLike
Its beautiful as u describe solitude..
Its best ever thing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Since I’m living alone in the jungle, it’s the perfect challenge-theme for me:
https://insellos.wordpress.com/2017/02/04/weekly-photo-challenge-solitude/
LikeLike
Cool picture!
LikeLike
interesting.. the time you spent with yourself doean’t have to be like meditation or mantra at all.. sometimes you can touch your deeper self by doing what feels right in your heart.. you might feel the river moving in you.. hmm
let’s see.. what can I come up with this week ?:)
LikeLike
*** repurpose of solitude 🙂 http://wp.me/p4mUeK-1bG
LikeLike
Happy Friday, everyone! Here is my entry this week: http://stenoodie.com/2017/02/03/weekly-photo-challenge-solitude/
LikeLike
One of the best photo challenges yet! Brilliant word prompt!
Our entry is here – https://awanderingmemory.com/2016/02/29/travelingsolo1/
LikeLike
What a lovely, lovely shot!
janet
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is so true. I am thinking alike and just started a #wandernista on IG to share the moments you spend with yourself. Just by yourself. It is so important, but I leef like it is not been talked about enough. Also because people connect it with loneliness. My favorite days are the ones I am alone with me. Even though I am extremely social person! Nice read xoxo
LikeLike
greetings from me, rachel of https:stitchesandpoems.wordpress.com
LikeLike
You make a wonderful distinction between loneliness and solitude. Henri Nouwen writes about this very distinction in “Belonging” (I think). May I offer you this blessing of solitude by John O’Donahue: https://rhfoerger.wordpress.com/2016/07/22/a-blessing-of-solitude/
Thanks
LikeLiked by 1 person
https://stitchesandpoems.wordpress.com/2017/01/22/magdalena/
LikeLike
I took it in this direction:
https://esengasvoice.wordpress.com/2017/02/03/weekly-photo-challenge-solitude/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hello! 😀
As a writer, I believe every other writer has a need for solitude to sort the messy out in one’s mind. And so, I guess, everybody here could relate to this piece of mine I wrote recently called, “A Writer’s Broken Record”. It shows the thoughts one(mainly a writer) gets when they sit in isolation.
http://wp.me/p7Klwb-95
I hope you like it. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
https://idiotviews.wordpress.com/2017/02/03/its-okay-to-feel-lost/
LikeLike
Hi, again. XD
This may seem a bit forced, but awhile ago I wrote this piece called, “In Isolation” and that’s why this topic felt so familiar to me. (took me a few seconds to remember, though. :P)
http://wp.me/p7Klwb-4W
Feels a bit rude to push two of my posts here, but I hope you won’t mind. 🙂
LikeLike
Good prompt. I was inspired by the sea, too. https://castelsarrasin.wordpress.com/2017/02/03/solitude-weekly-photo-challenge/
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the pictures!
LikeLike
Often, inner peace can only be found in solitude!
LikeLike
Great article. It is comforting and only throughout solitude we can pull ourselves together and find out who we really are.
LikeLike
Recently, I have been worried about how comfortable I get when I am alone. My friends in school are worried an others label me a wimp. But I know what I stand to achieve and the feeling I gain when alone. This topic is one I will share with them when I finally finish it
LikeLiked by 1 person
I seem to gravitate towards photographs showcasing solitude.
Great challenge for me this week. Sweet photo ….
Isadora 😎
https://isadoraartandphotography.com/2017/02/03/peaceful-solitude/
LikeLiked by 2 people
visit my life with three siblings in the next 5min and i will write somthing special about you
LikeLike
https://annapurani93.wordpress.com/2017/01/28/satiating-saturdays-why-it-is-completely-okay-to-be-alone-and-not-be-part-of-the-crowd/
LikeLike
The solitude found in wilderness can foster the posture of humility and freedom that we need to cultivate if we are to live sustainably, in harmony with the planet. That’s the idea, here are the photos: https://scillagrace.com/2017/02/03/weekly-photo-challenge-solitude-and-wilderness/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful
LikeLiked by 1 person
Old man flying a drone – https://renegadeexpressions.com/2017/02/03/weekly-photo-challenge-solitude/
LikeLike
I like your parental approach to solitude.
http://lessywannagohome.blogspot.be/2017/02/under-watchful-eyes.html
LikeLike
Here’s examples of Solitude and lonely https://piecesofstarlight.wordpress.com/2017/02/03/wpc-solitary/
LikeLike
Unplugging is the need of the hour though, but understanding solitude to be a purifying and energizing centre is important.
Regards
Shiva
LikeLike
A quiet spot along the water – http://wp.me/p3CFsE-3rW
LikeLiked by 1 person