John Burnside Quotes

It is important from time to time to slow down, to go away by yourself, and simply be.

By all means use some time to be alone.

Don't get me wrong: if I'm having fun, I'm going to have fun. But I need a lot of quiet time.

Contemplation seems to be about the only luxury that costs nothing.

Cycling can be lonely, but in a good way. It gives you a moment to breathe and think, and get away from what you're working on.

I highly recommend time to yourself.

We need time to defuse, to contemplate. Just as in sleep our brains relax and give us dreams, so at some time in the day we need to disconnect, reconnect, and look around us.

Downtime for me is just when I can sit still.

Solitude helps you reflect.

It's good to reflect on life and take a step back and sit and relax and do something else.

If you spend enough time with yourself in silence, you'll be surprised what goes through your head.

One of the greatest necessities in America is to discover creative solitude.

In my down time, I'm a homebody. I like to do a walkabout. I like my alone time.

I feel calm when I'm on my own.

There's a difference between solitude and loneliness. I can understand the concept of being a monk for a while.

I actually like being alone. I spend most evenings reading and taking long baths.

I restore myself when I'm alone.

I do games of solitaire when I get home to quiet my spirits.

Fishing provides that connection with the whole living world. It gives you the opportunity of being totally immersed, turning back into yourself in a good way. A form of meditation, some form of communion with levels of yourself that are deeper than the ordinary self.

All men's miseries derive from not being able to sit in a quiet room alone.

Finding some quiet time in your life, I think, is hugely important.

I like my peace and quiet whenever I can grab it.

I love time with family and friends, but completely relish time on my own when I have no agenda to follow, no to-do's, just me and time alone.

I will never have anything that is remotely technical near my bath time. I completely zone out and stare up at the ceiling. For me, it's like a form of meditation. It's a time where I can just actually turn off.

I like to read a lot, man. I read a lot and meditate and just go to that place. I'm not really an outdoorsman. I don't watch TV.