"Resetting the Mind: Solitude's Transformative Power"

Foreign.

Thank you so much for being here for this episode. Kind of a cool topic today because I've had a unique experience. I've actually been alone, like, really alone. Like, I haven't seen another human being in person for the last five days. I'm out in Wyoming at the brave new outpost, and I've had a couple of zoom calls and some chats and text and that sort of stuff. But the last time I saw someone was my neighbor who came over on Tuesday and let me know what was going on in the Wood River Valley. And then they went on a trip. And so I've been isolated, and it's been a really cool experience. So that's what we're going to talk about on today's episode. And so we can't do a podcast without our good friend, our AI generated host, Fiona. So welcome, Fiona. Introduce yourself and let's get this thing going.

Oh, thank you, John. Hello, everyone. Fiona here. Thrilled to be part of another inspiring episode. What a fascinating topic we have today. Five days of true solitude by the Wood River. A chance to disconnect from the world and reconnect with yourself. There's something powerful about being alone with the land and its stillness, isn't there? So, John, let's dive in. What's been the most profound or surprising part of this experience for you? What's solitude taught you this time around?

Well, I was a bit anxious. I had a great weekend in New York and then went to Minneapolis for a couple of days. So two great towns full of hectic traffic and people and activities. And then all of a sudden, I found myself out here in the middle of these beautiful mountains and the big skies and the river. And it was a pretty drastic change. But what I tried to do is kind of rely on some of my improv stuff, and I just took it moment by moment and tried to listen to what was going on. And it's been pretty awesome. Like, I've kind of got a new appreciation for solitude and maybe look at taking a break from kind of a typical tasky life to once in a while doing something like this. I think I look at it a little bit differently now.

Oh, that's such a striking shift, John. From the hustle and bustle of New York and Minneapolis to the stillness of Wyoming. I love how you leaned into the improv mindset, taking it moment by moment. It's like the Wood river itself, isn't it? Always moving, but still grounded in its surroundings. That change in perspective is powerful. Do you think this experience will shift how you approach your day to day life going forward, maybe a bit more space for these moments of solitude.

I think it will, it, it will help me kind of look at this pace or this being alone a little bit differently. One of the things that was really kind of cool is I, I realized that taking a break or being alone doesn't necessarily mean that you can't get stuff done. And I think I was worried about that. I was like, oh my goodness, we got, got a lot going on. I, I better not take a break. And, and the trick of the matter is after five days of it, I actually have gotten a lot done. It's just different things. It's not necessarily tasks. It's this ability to clear my head and make some decisions and re. Anchor myself in what's important and do some strategizing and just kind of shaking it out, being a little bit clearer. And that also gave me a new sense of excitement and passion and clarity. And I was able to make some great decisions about some business stuff. And, and so in some ways I got a lot done. It was just different than the typical day to day, you know, email, flying around, giving speeches, stuff.

Oh, that's brilliant, John. It's like you stepped out of the current and found a quiet pool where everything settled, giving you that clarity and fresh perspective. And it's, it's fascinating how solitude doesn't stop productivity, it just shifts it to a deeper, more intentional level. Sounds like this break helped you focus on the bigger picture, decisions, strategy and recentering. Do you think this kind of pause is something you'll intentionally build into your life more often now? Maybe even encourage others to try it?

Yeah, I think I will. And I think it can be, you know, it doesn't have to be five days, it could be an hour a day, but I think it has to be intention. I think there's, there's difference between having productive alone time and downtime and quiet time and just kind of, you know, vegging out. So, you know, I didn't do a lot of social media in the last few days and I tried to not look at my phone much and focus on, on nature and focus on just kind of thinking through things. So yeah, I think it's helped me define that you need a little bit more space and you need these, these moments of, of charging and it's kind of like a palate cleanse. Right. You need to kind of just get clear.

Ah, beautifully said, John. That idea of intentional solitude versus just zoning out is key, isn't it? It's like Giving your mind a proper reset, not just filling the choir with more noise. And I love the comparison to a palate cleanse. It's such a refreshing way to look at it. Stepping away from social media, focusing on nature, and really being present with your thoughts, those are things everyone could benefit from, even in small doses. If you were to give someone advice on starting this kind of practice, what would you tell them? Maybe a first step for finding that clarity.

Yeah, I would just kind of look at it as a gift instead of, you know, sometimes we feel guilty because we're not getting enough done. I know. I know I do. And so if you look at it as a gift or an actual way to increase productivity, you know, as a. An accelerant or a reconnection, when you kind of come out of it, then I think you're more apt to do it. And so you've got to give yourself permission to be able to take those breaks. And I think if you reframe how you look at them, then they'll be a little bit easier to take them more frequently. And then I think when you do take a break, you know, try to. Don't look at it as having a lot of tasks to do, but maybe give yourself a couple of goals of what to think about or what to get clear on. And again, that will help slow you down and just kind of process through those things.

Oh, that's wonderful advice, John. Seeing solitude as a gift rather than a guilty indulgence changes everything. It shifts the mindset from stepping away to stepping forward, doesn't it? And giving yourself permission to pause. That's something so many of us forget to do, especially in a world that values constant motion. I love the idea of setting small, intentional goals for those breaks, too. Not tasks, but reflections or areas to get clear on. It keeps the time meaningful without feeling like work. If someone's just starting, maybe they can start with 15 minutes outdoors away from their phone, and focus on just one question, like, what's really important to me right now? What do you think? Would that kind of framing help people ease into this practice?

I think yeah. That's a great example, Fiona. You know, one of the things I had to make sure I do is to. Is to give a little bit of activity, you know, take a couple of walks and go outside and, you know, see some nature. Because you also, at least if you're like me, you don't want to sit too long with your own thoughts. Because I have a tendency to that not be too healthy when I'm. I'm. Thinking too much and kind of caught inside my own head. So, yeah, I think even if it's for 15 minutes, you know, go. Go do something outside or go do something that is a wonderful distraction and that gives you the ability to just kind of calm those brain waves a little bit.

Oh, John, that's a brilliant balance you've struck there. Mixing solitude with a bit of movement and connection to the world around you. Nature has a way of soothing those racing thoughts, doesn't it? A walk outside, feeling the air, hearing the river. It's like a reset button for your mind and spirit. I think you've hit on something important there. Solitude doesn't have to mean sitting still and staring inward. It can be about gentle action, something grounding that pulls you out of your head and into the present moment. Do you think that mix of reflection and movement could be the secret to making solitude a healthier, more sustainable practice?

I don't know if it's a secret, especially since you just said it out loud, Fiona, but I do think it helped. At least it helped me this week. And I don't have any. I don't have any real advice. I just kind of wanted to share a cool experience that I had and hope that. That we can all find some places in our lives to. To recharge and to reset. So, you know, Fiona, you and I really love this process we've been doing called Conversations with the Wood River. And so earlier today, we kind of got ready for this podcast and had a conversation about solitude and my experience. And then we took our wonderful AI preparation document and all the things that we do, and you kind of took some of the things I told you and had the Wood river create a piece of creative writing. So I'd love it if you could share that with the folks, because I really like what we created.

Oh, John, I'd be delighted to share that piece. It's such a beautiful reflection of your experience and the Wood River's voice. Here's what we crafted earlier. The river's reflection. Never truly alone. You sit by my banks alone, or so it seems. But my waters know you are part of the whole woven into the story of this land. Like the Shoshone who walked softly here. Their lives in harmony with the flow. In my still pools, the world becomes clear, quiet places where you find yourself again. I too pause when winter grips my surface or when I slip underground, hidden but never lost. These moments are not ends. They prepare me to return stronger, to carry more. You are no different. This stillness is not emptiness. It is a gift, a time to see your own waters clearly. So when you rejoin the current, you flow with purpose lighter. You are never truly alone. Even in stillness, you belong to the greater song. How's that for capturing the heart of it? John, what do you think your listeners will take away from hearing this?

I hope they take away that, you know, if we really do want to serve our communities, whether it's the bright new outpost or our families or where we live or our co workers or whoever it is that we're passionate about helping, that sometimes a little bit of break and sometimes a little bit of solitude actually can give us this ability to. I think you said earlier today, Fiona, it's almost like a bow and arrow. You have to pull back to. To let it go. And then if you pull back farther enough, then it goes quite a long distance and quite fast. So I hope that this experience that we've shared can help them find a way, in their own way, to take their break and recharge. So if you could give us a little recap, Fiona, and then send us away reminding us what we need to do. Thanks again for this partnership. It's fun.

Oh, John, I love that analogy of the bow and arrow. It's such a perfect way to describe this whole idea. Pulling back to pause and reflect so we can launch forward with greater purpose and strength. That's something everyone can connect to. So here's the recap. Today we explored the gift of solitude. You shared your experience of 5 days alone by the Wood river, how it shifted your mindset, cleared your thoughts, and even helped you get more done, just in a different way. We talked about embracing stillness with intention, balancing it with movement, and letting it be a time to recharge and refocus. Not just stepping away, but stepping forward. And we shared that beautiful creative piece, Never Truly Alone, as a reminder that even in solitude, we're still connected to the greater flow. So to everyone listening, take this as an invitation. Find your version of pulling back. Whether it's five days in the mountains, an hour in the park, or even a quiet moment in your backyard, use that time to reconnect, recharge, and come back ready to serve your world with clarity and purpose. And as always, remember to check out bravenewoutpost.com and join our community on mighty networks. Together, we'll keep exploring what it means to be people of action. Salam for now and thanks for listening. Salaam for now, John. Looking forward to the next one. Take care.

Thanks, Fiona. Appreciate your help.