Adding Connections, Subtracting Independence

     "So we live exclusively in relation to others, and what disappears from our lives is solitude."

     Being alone, since I've moved in to college, has become a rare occurrence. Some may view the idea of solitude as a treat while others see it as a curse.
     William Deresiewicz, a writer who commentates on topics such as higher education and culture authored an article entitled "The End of Solitude," explores society's evolution in connectivity. Deresiewicz emphasizes the importance of technology in this commentary, stating, "The camera has created a culture of celebrity; the computer is creating a culture of connectivity."
     This sense of
     C+O+N+N+E+C+T+I+V+I+T+Y,
     in my eyes, is synonymous to
     D-E-P-E-N-D-E-N-C-Y.
     Why wait for your best friend to text you a "hello" in order to smile for the first time today? Why wait for something interesting to pop up in your YouTube feed before starting a homework assignment? Why rely on others' schedules, quirks and moods in order to carry on with your day?
     The idea of leading a dependent life such as that has always baffled me.
     In the article, Deresiewicz writes,

     "I once asked my students about the place that solitude has in their
     lives. One of them admitted that she finds the prospect of being
     alone so unsettling that she'll sit with a friend even when she has a
     paper to write. Another said, why would anyone want to be alone?"
   
     I could not help but be appalled by such statements from students.
     Does no one cherish their own individual mind anymore? Does no one appreciate themselves anymore? Does anyone take the time to reconnect with themselves and solve any internal qualms?
     Ignoring solitude is synonymous to ignoring yourself and your problems. No conflicts disappear when shrugged off. They'll only fester and become more complicated.
     I love the idea of solitude. Since I began college, I've found myself surrounded by students my age nearly every waking — and even non-waking — moment of my day. It's been difficult to find alone time. Having difficulty finding that solitude drives me insane.
     It's all too much sometimes.
     On those days, I need to take a step back. Step back, evaluate what's going on in my life, and then talk to friends once again.
     We cannot forget who we are.
     In the end, it is truly all that we have.