What Michaela Coel Can Teach Us About Solitude

““I just wrote a little something for writers, really. Write the tale that scares you, that makes you feel uncertain, that is uncomfortable. I dare you. In a world that entices us to browse through the lives of others to help us better determine how we feel about ourselves, and to, in turn, feel the need to be constantly visible, for visibility these days seems to somehow equate to success. Do not be afraid to disappear, from it, from us, for a while, and see what comes to you in the silence.” — Michaela Coel

I first read this quote earlier in the year when one of my favorite writers, Simone Nia Mcleod, referenced it in one of her stories.

This is a snippet from Michaela Coel’s acceptance speech at the 2021 Emmys. The words stood out as lips and spoke to me. There are as powerful as they are relevant.

Do not be afraid to disappear. From everyone. From everything. For a while. See what comes to you in those moments of solitude.

Whether your followers on Instagram and Twitter move on from you or not. Whether your readers find another interesting writer to focus on. Social media fanbase is like a sea. It will definitely flow your way again when you come back.

See what comes to you when there are no endless emails and notifications on your phone. Because you put it off for a while. See what comes when you move away from the city. Visit the countryside for a while. You notice how peaceful it feels to take a deep breath when surrounded by trees. You instantly feel like you are breathing in life. You suddenly understand this saying.

"I feel a great regard for trees; they represent age and beauty and the miracles of life and growth."

― Louise Dickinson Rich

See! that you notice how blue the sky is at the peak of noon. How the thunder clouds form and the skies darken before the first drops of rain.

You notice the little things. Like the ant, eating the bread crumbs from your breakfast. You notice the colony of ants huddled together eating from the same crumbs five minutes later.

You notice that watching the sunrise is so therapeutic. It instantly brightens your day. As its brightness seeps through the skies, stretching further and further until it is at its peak. You notice the beauty of the sunset. As it withdraws its tentacles, reducing its brightness over you, hour after hour; signaling the end of another day.

You notice how beautiful water tastes after a long run through the woods.

You see how beautiful the world around you is. Because you dropped your phone for a few minutes. Because you enjoyed your own company.

Do not judge yourself based on people's social media. I know you've heard this a lot, but you only see what people want you to on social media. You should never do yourself the disservice of making your life conform to false standards set on social media.

Never think that visibility equates to success. Most times it doesn't. Keanu Reeves and Adele are plenty proof of that fact. Be visible when necessary.

See how different the air smells when you are not worried about how to take the best pictures for your followers. How different you walk when it's not for the gram. How your laughter resounds when you are not worried about pleasing society standards.

Breathe for a moment and see what brilliance you come up with.

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The original version of this story was published here.

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