Loneliness is just a state of mind
Aloneness is a state of being
To be alone and lonely is depressing that is true
To be with someone yet lonely makes you feel blue
The art of being alone yet not lonely
Is achieved by very few 
Why?
Is it so difficult to attain?
By nature we are herdalistic
Social animals to the core
It’s weird to differ from this characteristic law.
Society compels
That one is not alone,
So psychologically,
Unprepared
In total dissarray
Aloneness is not a state that is easy to sustain.
© Irene Waters 2014
http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com
About Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist
I began my working career as a reluctant potato peeler whilst waiting to commence my training as a student nurse. On completion I worked mainly in intensive care/coronary care; finishing my hospital career as clinical nurse educator in intensive care. A life changing period as a resort owner/manager on the island of Tanna in Vanuatu was followed by recovery time as a farmer at Bucca Wauka. Having discovered I was no farmer and vowing never again to own an animal bigger than myself I took on the Barrington General Store. Here we also ran a five star restaurant. Working the shop of a day 7am - 6pm followed by the restaurant until late was surprisingly more stressful than Tanna. On the sale we decided to retire and renovate our house with the help of a builder friend. Now believing we knew everything about building we set to constructing our own house. Just finished a coal mine decided to set up in our backyard. Definitely time to retire we moved to Queensland. I had been writing a manuscript for some time. In the desire to complete this I enrolled in a post grad certificate in creative Industries which I completed 2013. I followed this by doing a Master of Arts by research graduating in 2017. Now I live to write and write to live.
Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist) 
But it can be done. And carried successfully ! 🙂
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I wonder M-R. I doubt that many are truly alone. Even the introverted (which believe it or not I am) have friends. I’m glad for those that can do it. 🙂
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You are talking with one.
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I guess it depends on your definitions. Being a writer is a solitary pursuit but I am never alone when I am writing. I have the voices of my characters keeping me company. And blogging I definitely feel I am interacting and is a pursuit where I am neither alone nor lonely whether there is a physical presence of someone else or not the cyber folk are there. I think we need different amounts of interaction but I think we all need it to some extent before we would start to feel lonely. But as I said it is probably a matter of definition and I’m sure with your definition you have been very successful at enjoying being alone without feeling lonely. A good way to be. 🙂
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What some call loneliness others call solitude and actively seek it in refuge from this noisy, busy world of ours.
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Jim, I believe we all need our solitude as well. I don’t think you have to be out in the noisy world but I do think that interraction is needed. For some a lot, for others a little. Blogging is a form of connecting which can be done in a solitary manner. One good friend could suffice. Without something I think loneliness is innevitable. But I could be wrong.We are all so different and I’m glad you commented and made me think about it some more.
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I like being alone. I can say that I like my own company. Of course, I don’t want this all of the time. I like a little interaction with others sprinkled around here and there.
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You and me both Glynis. I actually hate having to be anywhere where there are large numbers of people but one on one in measured doses is great. Writing is a solitary activity and my voices keep me company whilst I write and blogging gives me interraction and a coffee with friends – I’m happy. Cheers Irene 🙂
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Great post, gets to the heart of the words alone and lonely. I think everyone needs time alone – being in the herd all the time can be stressful! – but loneliness can be terrible.
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Totally agree. Some of us need more time alone than others but we need in differing amounts a bit of each. If we don’t have the required interraction we will suffer loneliness which is a very sad state to be in. Sadly many elderly people as it becomes more difficult to leave the house suffer with loneliness and are often alone. Cheers Irene
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I agree, Irene, in the distinction between loneliness and aloneness. In either case lies a choice. 🙂
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I’m not sure about choice but there definitely is a distinction. Cheers Irene
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I guess the choice comes from how we respond. 🙂
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That’s true. When you are young you do have plenty of options. I really feel for older people who have lost their partner whose bodies are failing them. It is a bit more difficult for them to overcome loneliness and aloneness. 🙂
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I agree, Irene. Companionship means a lot.
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