The Power of Solitude: Why Growing Older Alone Can Be Your Greatest Adventure

4 min read

For many women, the thought of growing older alone can feel daunting, wrapped up in societal pressures and expectations of how life “should” unfold.

But here’s the truth: solitude is not something to be feared.

In fact, ageing independently can be one of your life’s most liberating, enriching experiences. The narrative of needing to be constantly surrounded by others, particularly a partner, is slowly but surely being rewritten—and for good reason.

Time on your own is powerful, full of opportunity, and yes, time well spent.

Embracing Solitude as Self-Discovery

Did you know that the average adult spends nearly one-third of their waking life alone? Recent data highlights the growing trend of people ageing alone. For example, in the USA about 28% of individuals aged 65 and older live by themselves, which includes approximately 10 million women and 6 million men. This shift reflects a rise in life expectancy, higher divorce rates, and fewer children, leading more seniors to live independently without a partner or close family support.

Women are particularly affected by this trend, as they tend to live longer than men and are less likely to remarry after divorce or widowhood. After age 75, nearly 43% of women live alone compared to just 24% of men.

However, being alone doesn’t mean feeling lonely. As Dr Clarissa Pinkola Estés, a Jungian psychologist and author of Women Who Run With the Wolves pointed out: “Loneliness is an unchosen solitude. Solitude is a chosen loneliness.”

Although it may be challenging – it takes a good dose of self-confidence and pride to reclaim it as an intentional way of life- for many of us it can be a time to finally enjoy our own company. A chance to recharge, reflect, and grow, an opportunity to refocus and nourish that relationship with ourselves, without the influence of others.

In fact, when you spend time on your own, your decisions are your own, and this freedom allows you to shape your life around what truly makes you happy.

Cultivating Independence and Confidence

There’s something incredibly empowering about taking control of your own life. Managing a home, making decisions, and pursuing dreams independently fosters a sense of confidence that can be harder to cultivate when someone else is always in the picture. You become more resilient, capable, and self-sufficient when you’re making choices that reflect your own values and needs.

This independence also brings about a unique sense of pride. Taking yourself out to dinner, travelling solo, or learning a new skill without leaning on someone else can be incredibly fulfilling. It’s a reminder that you are enough, all on your own and that the quality of your life doesn’t depend on anyone but yourself.

Solitude as a Source of Creative Energy

There’s a reason many creatives seek solitude to get inspired. Time alone is a fertile ground for innovation and fresh ideas. Whether you’re an artist, writer, or someone who enjoys tackling personal projects, solitude provides the mental space to dream, reflect, and execute.

Take Virginia Woolf, for example she often retreated to her own writing room to escape the distractions of daily life. And how about Emily Dickinson? A reclusive poet, Dickinson spent much of her life in her family’s home in Amherst, Massachusetts. Her seclusion provided her with the space and quiet she needed to write her introspective and often enigmatic poems.

The truth is that when there’s no noise from external sources, you get to follow your own creative instincts. Navigating midlife in solitude could become your most creative time yet—especially if you’ve previously been too busy caring for others to tap into your own potential.

Strengthening Relationships Outside of Romance

“The first myth that you need to unlearn is to stop believing that you are lonely just because you are alone”, says Renuka Gavrani, author of The Art of Being ALONE: Solitude Is My HOME, Loneliness Was My Cage. Actually, one of the wonderful by-products of solitude is the chance to nurture friendships and familial bonds on your own terms.

Often, as we grow older, our friendships deepen, becoming less about social obligations and more about meaningful connections.

Living independently allows you to build a support system that reflects your values and offers companionship that uplifts and energizes you. Whether that’s through friendships, connections in your community, or online networks, solitude can lead to stronger, more intentional relationships.

The Joy of Peace and Quiet

Let’s face it: peace and quiet are underrated luxuries. In a world that constantly demands more—more energy, more attention, more time—living alone allows you to set the tone of your environment. From choosing your home’s decor to maintaining daily routines that work for you, you’re in control of your atmosphere.

This quiet space can be healing. Without the distractions of others, you can focus on your mental health, cultivate mindfulness, and create a sanctuary that helps you recharge. You can tune into yourself in ways that might not have been possible during busier, more chaotic stages of life.

Celebrating Your Solo Journey

The beauty of growing older alone is the opportunity to write your own story. While society may try to paint a picture of ageing alone as something to fear, being on your own and savouring solitude can be a gateway to the most authentic version of yourself allowing you to prioritize your needs and maybe giving you enough time to understand the way you want to spend your later years according to your lifestyle (ever heard of co-housing?)

So, instead of seeing solitude as a void, view it as a canvas—one where you hold the brush. This chapter of your life is yours to shape, and the time you spend on your own is not only well spent—it’s invaluable.

Like this post? Support Us or Sign up to our newsletter to get more articles like this delivered straight to your inbox!