My favorite fairytales were never the ones where the princess & prince get married, or a maiden gets rescued. I was always more fascinated by ones where the main character went on a solo journey or quest (The Ugly Duckling, The Last Unicorn, Little Red Riding Hood, Vasalisa, Thumbelina). Usually protective magic was involved, shelter was offered at certain points, hardships were overcome, different characters were met along the way, some became loyal friends & others remained strangers who were only meant for a passing lesson, gift or challenge.
These kinds of fairytales teach us about sacred solitude. Not “phew…I was lonely and now I’ll never be lonely again thanks to this person!!!” But real hard core having been there for yourself through the ups & downs, having experienced a radical inner journey, having observed the shift from loneliness to solitude by yourself, and now free to love because you have built up so much inner strength & self-love that you are happily ever empowered.
When is the last time you embarked on a journey like that? What would it look like? A road trip? A meditation retreat? Switching to that career path you always wanted? Following a dream? Leaving a toxic relationship? Heading out to a breakfast restaurant alone for a change? Hiking deep into the woods? Give yourself that sacred space to experience it and have compassion for yourself while doing it.
Solitude is magic…let it take you beyond what your mind can conceive when grasping the “security” of a happy ending. Let yourself be the journeyer!
Mantra Made 