Virginia Woolf's 1930 letter celebrating solitude and avoiding people is validation for every introvert

For someone who enjoys their own company, it's easy to be labeled as shy, a loner, or, most commonly, an introvert. Furthermore, being in one's own world comes with various challenges, such as struggling to open up to new people, difficulty expressing ideas freely, and feeling misunderstood in professional settings. However, for the late English writer Virginia Woolf, avoiding people has a completely different meaning, according to one of her letters shared by @LettersOfNote on the microblogging platform X (formerly Twitter).

The profile, aiming to bring to light some valuable exchanges from history, unraveled Woolf’s communication with her friend Ethel Smyth. The enriching piece of correspondence, dated September 28, 1930, celebrates solitude in stark contrast to today's culture of 'constant gratification.' "I have three whole days of solitude still—Monday, Thursday and Friday,” an excerpt from the archival letter read.

Woolf expressed her reluctance to meet new people, as she grew tired of such interactions. "The others are packed with this damnable disease of seeing people," the modernist wrote to her opera composer buddy. Throughout her decorated career, Woolf reportedly wrote nearly 600 such letters, touching on themes of mental well-being and being comfortable in one's own skin.

"Please tell me what psychological necessity makes people wish to 'go and see' so-and-so? I never do," the award-winning novelist penned in her letter. Woolf inadvertently underlined a message for future generations, hinting at the need to be true to the soul. The letter has struck a chord with many online scrollers, including introverts, who find it absolutely relatable.

Echoing the same, @Caffeionado remarked, “Virginia spoke my love language.” “This is my vibe for the long weekend—I'm with you, Virginia! Blessed solitude,” @KelBooch added. @JMcK2018 hailed, “Oh, for a day of true solitude... peace in my own company, no need to talk, interact or 'commune'.” Others empathized with the strongly worded yet spiritual message. However, this was not the first time the writer—who by the end of the '30s had authored six successful novels—spilled the beans on finding it difficult to catch up with people.

"Her novels too reflect the significance of turning inwards for connecting with the self and the outside world," states a blog post published by Reading Under The Olive Tree. It aimed to explore the connections between Woolf's literary work and inner peace, reflecting on how she used silence to give form to her thoughts. The English commentator, who died by suicide in 1941, was described as someone with a "heightened awareness" of being in the present moment. In fact, Woolf had a unique understanding of solitude, which, for her, was closely linked to peace and silence. From childhood through adulthood, her interests revolved around reading, writing and discussing books in open, tranquil spaces.

“The life I lead is very nearly perfect. A horrid tone of egoistic joy pervades this sheet, I know. What with the silence and the possibility of walking out, at any moment, over long, wonderfully colored roads to cliffs with the sea beneath, and coming back past lighted windows to one’s tea and fire and book—and then one has thoughts and a conception of the world and moments like a dragon flying in the air—with all this I am kept very lively in my head,” the outlet quoted an excerpt from Woolf's 1909 letter to Clive Bell.