On Solitude and Stillness
I recently went to see The Outrun, a poignant film set on the Orkney Islands, with parts filmed on Papa Westray. (I had no idea where this tiny island was located and totally had to Google it after the film!) If you plan to watch the film – and I strongly suggest you do – stop reading right here and go see it first.
The film is based on the memoir by Amy Liptrot, played by the very talented Saoirse Ronan. We are taken on a journey with Liptrot, from her years in London, where she becomes addicted to alcohol, to becoming sober and returning to her hometown on the Orkney Islands. There, she is confronted with the experiences of her youth. Her father has bipolar disorder, and she recalls the fear and anxiety during his illness. At times, she is gripped by sadness and anger and must face waves of emotion while struggling to stay sober.
She decides to spend a few months on Papa Westray, one of the smallest islands in Orkney, off the far northern coast of Scotland. The area is incredibly remote, with only a handful of inhabitants. She isolates herself in a tiny cottage, spending most of her time alone.
I was struck by her choice to embrace solitude.
It was during this time that she truly confronted her demons.
She slowly began to open herself to the environment around her – the beautiful grey seals bobbing up and down, the force of the waves, the majestic cliffs.
We watch as she gradually embraces it all – fully immersing herself in the sound of the gales, feeling the cold of the ocean. For the viewer, it is a very visceral experience, as if you’re standing beside her on the edge of a cliff, feeling the waves crash against the rocks and the full force of the wind. I could feel it in my bones as I watched the film. It left me reflecting on human fragility and vulnerability, as well as courage and resilience.
This shift towards a deeper connection with nature begins to chip away at the fortress she’s built within herself. We see her allow herself to fully feel everything – the horror, the terror... and the joy. She starts to see herself as a beautiful, living landscape, with ridges, light, and tremors.
I left the cinema with a feeling of awe. Awe for the human experience, what it means to be alive, and how it feels to embrace the force and beauty of nature.
It reminded me of the power of solitude, stillness, and silence.
As creatives, we need more of this. We need these moments to connect with ourselves, allowing the well of creativity to spring forth.
If you've been feeling empty and low on energy, it may be time to embrace some solitude and stillness.