Solitude

We are in for a social blizzard, F. and I. Most people would be hyped and raring to go: Me? I’m taking a deep breath and waiting for it to be over.

I’m not a hermit. But more and more my contentment scale weighs in favor of being with just one friend at a time, or alone.

I have come to like my own company. That’s a good thing.

On most days, I like the silence that surrounds me. I like walking in the woods solo, (with the dog) and being able to hear myself think. On most days, the voices in my head are benevolent. They help me untangle my psychic knots, figure out which words to put on paper and which to throw away.

It gets lonely sometimes, being alone as much as I am. But the reservoir fills up faster than it used to: a few hours of tea with a soulmate or time with F. can fuel me for days.

It's a gift of midlife: being able to nourish myself from within.