The Art of Alone: Intentional Solitude | Niqolas Ruud | TEDxWallaWallaUniversity

Niqolas shares how spending time alone can empower, inspire, and motivate.

Niqolas Ruud, originally from Portland, Oregon, is a freshman at Walla Walla University. He grew up in the Pacific Northwest, and attended Upper Columbia Academy during his high school years. Niqolas, currently working towards a B.A. in Theology, aims to be either a missionary, pastor, teacher, or chaplain. He says that intentional solitude has greatly benefited him as he strives to become a more positive and successful individual. During his free time, Niq enjoys “rowdy things” like alpinism, kayaking, ice hockey, and singing a cappella music.

[in]

nothing wrong with being alone. in fact you discover and experience more in life. society makes you think you're crazy lazy psycho when you're a loner.

[Rick-nxiy]

I'm not afraid to be alone.. I enjoyed being alone.

[horseheadkid]

i don’t trust people who can’t be alone. it’s like they’re not fully human. i’m very grateful that i learnt to live alone before the internet became commonplace ☻

[scottash]

He's giving away the secret to true creativity.

[pleximanic]

Antisocial behavior is a trait of intelligence in a world of conformists - Nikola Tesla

[LindaCasey]

I'm 70 and have been in voluntary solitude now for 2 1/2 years after a lifetime of fullness. It is freeing. 🌹

[prithikagopalakrishnan]

Yes ..being alone keeps us away from the exhaustion of others expectations from us and thereby brings happiness that’s really true !

[jacobjacob]

Sometimes I think being alone toooo much is bad, but each time I try to go out & I think of the shallow conversations that are going to ensue, I simply meditate, grab a new book & explore new worlds between the covers of my book. Contentment right there.

[hellomsgarcia]

Solitude has been my catalyst for my internal metamorphosis. I'm digging deep into myself without the intrusion of others. It's a productive form of solitude.

[thomaswalz]

I've done my best work in solitude... became a pretty good guitar player, a welder, and I've had some of the most amazing bicycle rides... where incredible thoughts came in torrents.

[eessa]

Solitudeness has always been the bestest friend and the biggest therapist🧘‍♀️❤

[kennedykiser]

I'm all by myself most of the time.I do everything that one can do all alone. It's just the way that I live. I never needed anybody around me to function in my life, & I'm not some strange weirdo neither. It's how I am & that's just me. We all have our own wants, needs & desires in life, which makes us unique & special in everything we do. Take the time to find out who you truly are & live that life, instead of trying to be like the person your not.

[TruthSeekerClub]

You been through a lot to change yourself from extrovert to introvert.
Welcome to solitude zone where you are the master of your everything in your life.
I like your charisma and how you have changed to be this calm person.

[RichMitch]

It's nice to know that I'm not alone in being alone. Hello alone people

[karishort]

I cherish my alone time. There aren't enough hours in a day!!

[SSJSaiyanNick]

This was a very well done speech. I think though that society doesn't know how to be alone, because they don't teach that. Ever since you're in preschool or starting elementary school, you're supposed to get involved with others (which is good, I'm not saying it's bad). But when you get older high school, college, graduated, etc... you are looked at differently for being alone, or wanting to be alone. You get made fun of, name called, feared even, all by people that probably don't know you, or don't understand you. In modern America today very few people can stand up by themselves, they need someone to hold their hand and make them feel like they're worth something. It's all good to have a support system, but people need to learn to stand up on their own at a certain age, not be so dependent on others. Lastly even dating, there are apps on your phone and commercials telling you, that you need someone you shouldn't be alone, you got to have someone. That puts a lot of pressure on people. Again you get looked at differently for not being in a relationship once you reach a certain age. People really need to learn how to be alone, and sometimes the person really needs that so they can grow smarter and stronger then they ever thought.

[HAngeli]

And here I am, using my alone time in trips to the bookstoe and lonely coffee at the coffee shop.

[darkphoenixempress]

What’s funny is I’ve lost a lot of friends over the years I’m 26 and I only associate with one person. But there’s a valid reason why God allowed this to happen. He removed them from my life for a reason. And maybe this is a sign and I’m listening for what he wants me to do. I’m in this by myself and this is my journey to explore and learn new things without anybody in my ear. If it means that I don’t need to have friends/family then I’m perfectly fine with that, it’ll just help me maneuver a lot more. All things happen for a reason so I’ll be taking full advantage of this opportunity. Thank you 🙏

[truthala]

You've touched a nerve.... We are driven to survive so maintaining connection with others is part of our drive to survive. Being alone gives us the time and space to tune into and be aware of our own Energy, and letting go into that flow. For me being alone was disturbing, feelings of fear, anxiety, my mind movie playing out in thoughts and feelings about the experience I am having. Being alone allows me to relax into myself.

[VIsTheMusic]

We're so stressed out because we are working so hard to make other people wealthier while depriving ourselves beyond compare. We've made our goals possible only by submitting to the material deities, carotts dangling, we're chasing stuff. Basic income for every citizen is a sure way to reduce and eliminate stress, allowing more time for imagination, cooperation and peace. More time for a sustainable life of more leisure. Thank you.