Escape where you are. Stay planted.
Escapecation (es-cape-ca-tion)
Before I understood meditation, yoga, or any similar practice, in college, I made up the word Escapecation. Honestly, I wanted to use escapade, but that is Janet Jackson’s song and it means an act or incident involving excitement, daring, or adventure. My Escapecations were anything but exciting. An Escapecation represented a time when I totally disconnected from the world. Also known as an excursion to nowhere. I used Escapecations because I needed time to deal with my thoughts and activities in life – instead of rushing from one thing to the next at such a fast pace that I could not decipher if I was coming or going. In college that meant, unplugging my land line, staying in my room, skipping most of my classes, and listening to music. Typically, I would indulge in an Escapecation for about a week. Escapecations became a practice in college and afterwards. Arguably those around me did not understand my Escapecations. People thought I was being rude or weird or anything in between. And, at the time, I did not have the tools to express why I needed an Escapecation or why I would say I was going on an excursion only to sit in my room alone. When, in fact, I now understand that I needed the time to reflect and do nothing. An Escapecation was how I recharged. It was how I centered myself.
What I did not know in college was that an Escapecation was simply a prelude to me being able to enjoy solitude. Solitude is defined as the state or situation of being alone. Admittedly, I am wired to never be still. Solitude terrified me. But through Escapecations, I had no idea that I had unlocked the key to my sanity. I learned that the best way to get away was to stay. Solitude and creating that space have been the greatest gifts to myself. Today, solitude is an important part of my self-care. And I can clearly articulate to others that I am unapologetically taking “me” time.
Notwithstanding the definition of solitude, solitude is not lonely at all. I have so many visitors while practicing solitude. In solitude, I connect with all my “best friends” – dreams, visions, desires, God, faith, myself, and gratefulness.
Escapecations are a bit more difficult with real world adult obligations. So now my responsible adult version of an Escapecation is a Staycation. Same idea, except in a nice hotel for a shorter period.
For some, solitude may be uneasy, but just give it a try. It is a constant effort for me to practice solitude, but the practice is well worth it. The benefits of solitude include: (1) freedom of independent non-influenced thought, (2) reconnection with self, (3) realignment with self, (4) silence, (5) creativity, (6) recharging your inner spirit, (7) productivity, (8) appreciation, (9) replacing a busy mind with a restful mind, and (10) clarity.
Whether an Escapecation, Staycation, “me” time, or other mechanism, practicing solitude is a tool to listen to and sit with my inner self and the energy that matters. As a society, we spend too much time running and not enough time being. Make time for solitude – that is where the magic happens.
Stay planted and bloom.