Freedoms Found in Isolation

Words: Will Wiesenfeld aka Baths / Geotic

Isolation is so strangely polarized in our minds. It's the dogma of introverts and the bane of extroverts. I think in actuality, isolation doesn't need to be such an emotionally-infused concept. It's just a practical part of a healthy lifestyle. Like breakfast, or exercise. Isolation can balance out the amount of time we spend being present with other people. It's the other half of that experience: being present with yourself, which is equally important. I work and make music entirely from home so isolation is pretty integral for me. In all the different little vignettes I might picture about my current lifestyle, being by myself plays a major role, but in moderation alongside being with other people. I'm passionate about the benefits of isolation because of how much it's helped me but I also understand it's not the same for everyone. Even a moderate level of isolation can seem daunting if its not something you regularly practice. A look at my positive relationship with isolation might help showcase how it can be a comfortable place for self-engagement and a welcome ally in creative freedom.

I work from home as a musician and composer, and so much of what I do is accomplished entirely by myself. I have ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder) which can make it difficult to focus, but I've been comfortably medicated for more than half my life and it's helped a great deal. I only mention this because even with medication, I have so much trouble focusing on what I do when other people are around. All my best work is done when I'm completely by myself. To me, that isolation is a form of ultimate freedom. I can experiment without judgement and bring long-winded ideas to a place where they can breathe. I experience plenty of other distractions even when I'm by myself, but I can almost factor them into my workflow, allowing for some downtime between dense recording sessions. After I make a good deal of progress on a song, I'll watch some lightweight cartoons or hop on Twitter for a bit. Even a small amount of separation can help, making me eager to jump back into things, and feeling fresher than where I left off. When I'm about to consume any media that feels like it'll hit me extra hard, I prefer to do it by myself so that I'm free to react without the concern of what other people might think. That anxiety is not a concern for everyone, but I can recognize the habit within myself and like to avoid it and get straight to the heart of how I feel as often as I can.

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