The Powerful Purpose of Introverts 預覽

Day Two

Why Introverts Need Solitude

Scriptures: Genesis 2:18, Luke 5:15-16

The creation story says God made the world in six days—pink flamingos and orange starfish, lilacs and aardvarks, the depths of the ocean and the heights of mountains, a human sculpted out of the earth. 

Each day God pronounced his creation good. Then came his declaration that “it is not good for man to be alone.” When introverts, who need time alone to thrive, hear this they can misunderstand and feel guilty about needing time on their own. 

But the original meaning of the word “alone” in this context isn’t about physical aloneness but about living in separation. What introverts need is solitude—which actually helps us feel more connected to God, others, and our true selves. For example, we see Jesus practicing solitude when he withdrew to from the crowds to pray. 

From a practical perspective, introverts needs time alone because of the way God wired us. Our nervous systems are like nets with very small holes, which means they catch everything going on around us. As introverts, we’re likely to be the first to notice when a friend is upset, a detail in a project has been missed, or the volume on the music has been turned up. This makes us thoughtful friends, attentive hosts, and diligent workers.

It also means that at a certain point our net is full and we need time to empty it, which we do by being alone and processing. We might do this by praying, going on a walk, taking a nap, or any other restorative activity. 

If you’re unsure if being alone at a particular time is social isolation or solitude, ask yourself these three questions:

• Am I choosing this time alone? 

• Will this time alone help restore my energy?

• Do I still feel connected to/engaged with someone or something (myself, God, work, home, nature, a book)?

If you answered yes to these questions, then it’s solitude, not social isolation. Alone time that is chosen, restorative, and includes a sense of connectedness or engagement is essential to our well-being. Yes, we can temporarily get away with cutting it out of our lives. But eventually our bodies force solitude through illness, depression, or burnout. And the busiest among us need the most solitude to keep our emotional, physical, social, and spiritual health.

When we choose solitude as introverts, it’s not selfish; it’s a sacred act of service that empowers us to love well for a lifetime. 

What’s a time this week when you have solitude? Even a few minutes is enough to make a difference in your day.