Is solitude necessary for creativity? What are the possible effects of long-term solitude?
According to Wired to Create, there’s some merit to the “lonely artist” trope. This is because the networks of our brain that are active during solitude are different than when we’re in the outside world.
Continue reading to learn about the benefits of creative solitude.
Creative Solitude
A characteristic that the authors say artists share is the desire for creative solitude. The lonely artist trope has existed for centuries, and the authors explain that there’s a good reason for this: Creativity stems from an intimate understanding of one’s self and humanity, and these discoveries are the product of deep reflection, which requires solitude.
In solitude, people are granted the time and peace needed to fully explore their thoughts, emotions, and experiences, and to contemplate things they wouldn’t normally think about. This deep contemplation is the catalyst for meaningful epiphanies about yourself and the world—the tissue of creative work. Distractions in the outside world often prevent this intense inner focus, which is why solitude is crucial for creativity.
(Shortform note: Researchers reiterate the necessity of solitude for creativity, as it allows you to more deeply process and reflect on things. However, they note that the desire for solitude is not universally linked to creativity—it’s why you seek solitude that’s linked to creativity. They found that those who crave solitude due to shyness or avoidance of others scored low in creativity and high in aggression. People who craved solitude simply for the pleasure of being alone ranked high in creativity and low in aggression. So before embracing solitude, make sure you’re doing it for the right reasons.)
The authors say that this phenomenon can be explained by the networks of our brain that are active during solitude versus when we’re in the outside world. In the outside world, the high-focus network of our brain suppresses our imagination, directing our attention to our environment rather than our creative thoughts. On the other hand, in solitude, our high-focus network works with our imagination, which heightens our ability to develop creative thoughts and insights.
(Shortform note: It’s true that solitude allows our brain to activate networks that increase creativity; however, scientists explain that long-term solitude, or social isolation, can actually change our brain for the worse. When we spend too much time alone without having discussions with others, we underuse the parts of our brain needed for memory and attention. As a result, those areas begin to shrink. One study found that people who were socially isolated had a 26% increased risk of dementia, potentially as a result of this shrinking.)
