MEANINGFUL AND MINDFUL WORDS
As part of my exploration of my Word of the Year "Mindful" I've come across a few terms recently that have caught my eye. They're words that have depth and meaning to them that carries a little "something" that I'd like to incorporate into my own life. I've chosen five to explore further over March - which is going to be my month of meaningful, mindful reflection.
The first of these words that caught my eye is Eremition - a word I'd never heard before, but one that resonated and gives me a description of how life has been for me over the last few years....
WHAT DOES EREMITION ACTUALLY MEAN?
Eremition (n.)
- Meaning:
A going into solitude; withdrawal from society.
Eremition refers to the intentional, often gradual, act of withdrawing from society to seek solitude, reflection, and personal renewal. It feels like an intentional drawing inwards to recalibrate and re-centre before stepping back into the busy, noisy, distracting world around us.
It's not the same as the isolation we were forced into during the pandemic, rather it focuses on self-care, mental health, and can even feel like a spiritual or creative rejuvenation. It involves "going inward" to restore yourself, in a peaceful, quiet way - almost a monastic retreat. It's a deliberate, proactive choice to pause, heal, and find clarity.
- Meaning:
A going into solitude; withdrawal from society.
Eremition refers to the intentional, often gradual, act of withdrawing from society to seek solitude, reflection, and personal renewal. It feels like an intentional drawing inwards to recalibrate and re-centre before stepping back into the busy, noisy, distracting world around us.
It's not the same as the isolation we were forced into during the pandemic, rather it focuses on self-care, mental health, and can even feel like a spiritual or creative rejuvenation. It involves "going inward" to restore yourself, in a peaceful, quiet way - almost a monastic retreat. It's a deliberate, proactive choice to pause, heal, and find clarity.
WITHDRAWING FOR A REASON
Mellissa McHargh on (LinkedIn) describes eremition as a deliberate withdrawal from society—not out of resentment or hostility, but as a means of seeking peace, solitude, and personal renewal. This aligns with traditional hermitic practices, where individuals retreat from the world for spiritual, mental, or emotional restoration.
It carries a more intentional and positive connotation compared to isolation due to alienation or bitterness.
It is a word we could use in discussions about self-care, mental health, and spirituality. It captures a concept that is distinct from isolation or reclusion—it's not about avoiding people out of fear or resentment but about seeking solitude for inner peace and renewal.
WAYS TO PUT EREMITION INTO PRACTICE
1. Personal Growth & Mental Health – There are times when we need to "journey inward" for a while and just observe our life. If we're feeling a little bombarded or overwhelmed by too much social interaction, we can use eremition as an intentional break from a busy social life to recharge, like taking a digital detox.
2. Spirituality & Philosophy – Taking a Sabbatical to quieten your mind and heart, stepping back from all the daily demands for a short time and using that space to renew your spirit through journalling, reading the bible, listening to a curated podcast feed, or just spending a some time in your own headspace quietening the noise.
3. Creative & Academic – Allocating some alone time for your favourite creative pastime (mine's collage), or studying a language, researching an interest, or quiet reading. Just doing your own thing in your own space - positive alone time.
4. Silence and Solitude – Staying in the quiet of your own home, slowing down your pace, having a Do-Nothing Day, learning to enjoy your own company rather than seeking social distraction. Taking some time aside to quietly re-set yourself for the rest of the week.
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
Does the idea of taking some time for solitude and seeking a regular re-set appeal? Is it something that you find you're doing more of in the second half of life, or are you still thriving in the social swirl?
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An awesome word, Leanne, and you have a gift with words. First time for me, too, “Eremition”
ReplyDeleteEspecially, seeking solitude. I ‘get it.’ When I was in a career with a great deal of close contact with people, I would tell my husband I want to go to a monastery for our yearly vacation. Your #4 is still a highlight for me, even when I am no longer in close contact with people every day. I suspect you also 'get it' when we were in the same career. Love this word, Leanne! I will try and incorporate Emerition into my daily conversation and life. xx Erica
Hi Erica - yes I definitely understand how lovely it is to not be responsible for anyone anymore - and to be able to use my time quietly and thoughtfully - with less noise and demands. I love my creative time and I love just being at home in my own headspace. Life is very good and eremition adds to the peacefulness. :) x
DeleteHi again, Leanne, I noticed I spelled eremition incorrectly in my last note. Always good to learn something new, especially a new perspective. Have a great week! xx Erica
DeleteWell spotted - I didn't even notice....and must confess I double check every time I write it (like I did when I chose Equanimity as my WOTY!) x
DeleteAm enlightened by a new word, Leanne. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, I have had so much isolation due to my emotional health breakdown that I find it both uncomfortable and it does not sit well with me...BUT, it has also been a series of lessons for me. I have needed to become far more acquainted with myself.
My 'inner self' which has had make so many adjustments over the years that I now need to give it some "time, safety and security"...I'm enjoying some of my chosen solitude but I also don't want to become too scared to get out and about again when I can and how I am up for it.
So, I appreciate what I can and can't do as I am receiving help to recover from trauma. I know that at 76, there will be "not going back" to how I was but I know I have a say about how I will be.
This was a tender and heartfelt post from you and I like your plans for March.
Take care,
Denyse x
Hi Denyse - it's all about balance isn't it? I think we can have too much alone time and we can also hide from ourselves with too much social time. I like the idea of going out to be present with others, then coming home to re-fill and refresh. It's about choosing to be alone, rather than being forced into it by circumstances (like the pandemic or illness). I love the idea of peaceful time to be in my own headspace when I need it - and to not always be worrying about everyone else like I used to! x
DeleteHi Leanne, I love this! I do have a few hours most days to myself but I end up cleaning the house, laundry, ironing etc! When I do sit down I start browsing the internet and the time just evaporates! I definitely need to find a way to make ‘me’ time about healing. When I looked up the meaning of healing it says ‘bringing together mind, body, and spirit’. You’ve inspired me to spend some time focussing on healing. Chrissie x
ReplyDeleteHi Chrissie - I like that definition of healing - it's about returning to wholeness isn't it? I tend to potter when I have my alone time too - I don't sit in the quiet with my own thoughts as much as I possibly could, but I do enjoy not having to be "on" for others - just quietly being home doing what needs doing in my own time. I do find that a little creative time helps me declutter my thoughts - nothing beats a bit of colouring or collaging if I want to leave the logical me behind for a while and just "be". x
DeleteLeanne, I love your goal of 'meaningful, mindful, reflection' for March. Silence and solitude are hard to come by these days, which is why this is a good reminder to be intentional and make it a practice. We make exercise and healthy eating a 'practice', so why not solitude and reflection? I chuckled at Erica's comment regarding vacationing at a monastery. I used to dream of checking into one for a week or two, just to quiet the noise of life. Gratefully, I haven't felt that overwhelmed in a long while. I've learned to balance my ME time and people time much better.
ReplyDeleteHi Suzanne - I think retirement gave me the gift of alone time - something I had very little of when I was working and raising the family. Now I just sink into it when I have a few hours at home to myself - I'm not wondering if I should be doing something, or if there's something I need to catch up on....I just get to enjoy the quiet and fill my tank before I head back into the next thing on my calendar. I never thought of myself as a solitary person, but I'm learning that there's definitely a part of me that thrives on down time these days. :)
DeleteLeanne, A new word to me as well. I have a couple of friends, one of whom has been in this mode for years. She has talked about the same concept with me, without using that word. The other goes in and out of it - she's currently in the mode. I understand it and have gone into it a few times - it's often when I get into a deep research mode! These days I seem to only get to a sense on eremition when the overwhelm hits me. But I understand the appeal of it!
ReplyDeleteHi Pat - I think I slide in and out of it. I like to have small social bites, I like good conversations, laughter, time with others.....but I'm finding that time alone really appeals to me these days. I think having a space that feels safe and comfortable really nourishes my soul. I'm sure once you're settled into your new place you'll find yourself wanting those hours of eremition to relish the results of all your hard work and overwhelm. :)
DeleteLeanne, I too hadn't heard this word 'Eremition' before. I am sure it helps to step back and recoup our energies, both physical as well as emotional and intellectual, before we get back into our daily routine.
ReplyDeleteHere in India, there are some religious as well as non-religious organisations that offer sessions in eremition. They are located in rather remote outskirts of the city, wherein there is no proper mobile phone connection even. The phone connection is a fixed line one that the institution has. In some places, they allow restricted mobile phone usage. They have sessions on meditation, yoga, and specially curated diet. In some places, we aren't even allowed to speak. A couple of people who have attended such sessions have told me that it's really rejuvenating.
Hi Pradeep - that was really fascinating - like a monastic retreat but without going into a monastry in the middle of nowhere. I like the idea of no phones - and I bet it takes a bit of getting used to - being out of touch with the world and just focusing on recalibrating sounds really refreshing.
DeleteHi Leanne, this is a word I've not heard of before, so thanks for the insight. Eremition makes sense when you think about it and I like your examples of how it could apply. Certainly a new way of looking at mindfulness and quite a positive one too. I like quiet time but I can't go for too long without interaction!
ReplyDeleteHi Deb - I think I'm becoming more and more introverted as I get older - or maybe I'm just not pushing myself to be as interactive as I did back when it was more necessary. I like not having to be "on" all the time - I need conversations and connection, but I also really enjoy withdrawing into my own private space and just breathing. I thought it would be boring, but it never is!
DeleteA new word for me and one I can relate to as a necessary choice. My word of the year is RENEWAL which means for me a new commitment to my life goals. Some solitude by choice will help me.
ReplyDeleteHi Judith - I kept thinking about renewal, refreshment, re-charge, re-calibrate as I wrote the post. It feels like a step away from the noise and distraction to give ourselves the room to hear our own thoughts and feelings - and to move forward from there.... mindful renewal!
DeleteI hadn't heard this word before, Leanne, but I like it. I sometimes withdraw for all of the reasons you listed, and I believe I am better for it.
ReplyDeleteHi Christie - it's funny how we can be doing something without realizing there's a term for it and that others are doing it too. I liked the idea of positive solitude - rather than it being due to retreating or reacting.
Delete