The Gifts of Solitude: A Short Guide to Surviving and Thriving in Isolation by Roz Savage
The Gifts of Solitude is one of those books that feels like sitting down with a wise friend who's been through something extraordinary and pops over for tea to share what they've learned. And, wow, has Roz been through some extraordinary adventures.
First, she is the first (and so far only) woman to row solo across the world’s “Big Three” oceans: Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian. She holds four Guinness World Records, and was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to fundraising and the environment. I’ve followed Roz’s adventures for years, but picked this book up while recovering from knee surgery over the past year. What did that have in common with her rowing across oceans alone for months at a time? A lot, I learned.
I love how she reframes solitude from something we typically fear into something that can be profoundly nourishing. She explores how being alone – whether by choice (like her at sea) or circumstance (the coronavirus lockdown that inspired the book) – can become a gateway to self-discovery, creativity, and inner strength. The writing style is refreshingly honest, straightforward, and conversational. Savage doesn't sugarcoat the challenges of isolation or her epic adventures. It's a relatively short read too, and packed with insights that will stay with you long after you finish.
Her other books, Rowing the Atlantic and Stop Drifting, Start Rowing each have their place on the bookshelf of anyone who seeks wisdom through adventure. With The Gifts of Solitude, I could almost see her writing it on paper as a letter to mail me later. She needed to feel connection through her ideas when the lockdown prevented it otherwise. It’s a personal, practical, and universally relevant book, which is a real gift for anyone ready to explore the unexpected treasures that solitude can offer.