“How much better is silence; the coffee cup, the table. How much better to sit by myself like the solitary sea- bird that opens its wings on the stake. Let me sit here forever with bare things, this coffee cup, this knife, this fork, things in themselves, myself being myself.” – Virginia Woolf
Virginia Woolf found peace with solitude using the time to help her create. Solitude and isolation are often a great experience for the creative mind allowing time and relaxation to allow the ideas to flow.
Our isolation has been enforced and mixed with fear of an invisible enemy, throwing cemented plans to the wind. Because the confinement and restrictions are not our own choice it makes the feelings associated with it a much more difficult experience.
We as humans are a social species and so much is gained when people interact, collaborate, help and care for others, develop relationships, and become active members of groups and communities.
We also have the world at our fingertips but most of us feel disconnected from each other, or the work life balance of the day to day.
Overfamiliarity with your surroundings, no matter how silent can become the noise in your mind.
Just stepping outdoors and out of the security of your solitude can break the social withdrawal that helps to create the mental anguish many are suffering from.
Covid-19 has given us all a common ground with the perfect stranger, allowing us to say hello, smile and ask a genuine ‘how are you?’.
Here I use this statement to create a group of images showing that all you need to do is step outside (break your own walls). Even in isolation you can still see people and talk with others, even for a short restricted interaction.
zoelphotography@outlook.com