{"id":3485,"date":"2025-12-10T16:17:10","date_gmt":"2025-12-10T16:17:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/?p=3485"},"modified":"2025-12-10T16:17:22","modified_gmt":"2025-12-10T16:17:22","slug":"the-hidden-power-of-alone-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/the-hidden-power-of-alone-time\/","title":{"rendered":"The hidden power of alone time"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>I don\u2019t compete against anyone.<br>Not the people beside me,<br>not the ones ahead of me,<br>not the ones watching from a distance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The only person I\u2019m racing<br>is the version of myself<br>I promised I would become.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I compete against my past records<br>the things I said I would achieve<br>and never did,<br>the dreams I postponed,<br>the goals I buried<br>because life felt too heavy to carry them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So every day,<br>I challenge me.<br>I wake up ready<br>to outrun yesterday.<br>To face my shadows,<br>to polish my strengths,<br>to rebuild my broken places.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I look at those who went ahead,<br>not to compare,<br>but to learn.<br>I study their mistakes,<br>I study my own,<br>because growth is a mirror<br>that never lies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And when I go online,<br>I don\u2019t search for competition.<br>I search for elevation.<br>I look for words, lessons, inspiration,<br>things that stretch my mind<br>and upgrade my entire being.<br>Because I want to meet<br>the best version of me<br>before this life is over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And I remember\u2026<br>I have come from far.<br>Milestones that broke others<br>are the same ones I turned into stepping stones.<br>Battles that felt impossible<br>are the same ones that taught me strength.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There were seasons I walked alone,<br>seasons when I was the only one<br>who still believed in my own potential.<br>But I kept moving.<br>I kept fighting.<br>I kept becoming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019ve learned that I haven\u2019t arrived,<br>not yet.<br>But I\u2019m on the journey.<br>So I keep learning from my steps,<br>from my peers,<br>from mentors,<br>from strangers<br>whose stories carry wisdom<br>I didn\u2019t know I needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019m learning not to pressure myself<br>because someone else is shining.<br>Everyone has their own timing,<br>their own season,<br>their own sunrise.<br>The rain doesn\u2019t fall<br>on every roof<br>on the same day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And yes,<br>sometimes life isolates you<br>to elevate you.<br>Being alone,<br>being with few friends,<br>talking to nobody at all,<br>it taught me strength.<br>It taught me how to fly<br>when I barely had the energy to walk,<br>how to smile<br>even when I was breaking inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019m learning that life is beautiful,<br>not because it\u2019s perfect,<br>but because perspective<br>can turn even pain<br>into something meaningful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So every morning,<br>I remind myself:<br>One day,<br>all this will become past tense.<br>The tears,<br>the delays,<br>the battles,<br>the victories,<br>all of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And at the end,<br>what matters<br>is not competition,<br>but legacy.<br>Not noise,<br>but impact.<br>Not the race,<br>but the footprints<br>I leave behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I don\u2019t compete with others.<br>I compete with myself.<br>And that\u2026<br>is enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/profile.php?id=100041980609107\">(2) Facebook<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/the-powerful-reality-about-adulthood\/\">THE POWERFUL REALITY ABOUT ADULTHOOD SPOKENWORD<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Powerful Poem on Ending gender-based violence spoken word by walking shadow poetry\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/XO5FLuC4Iwo?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I don\u2019t compete against anyone.Not the people beside me,not the ones ahead of me,not the ones watching from a distance. The only person I\u2019m racingis the version of myselfI promised I would become. I compete against my past recordsthe things I said I would achieveand never did,the dreams I postponed,the goals I buriedbecause life felt [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3486,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[121,97,25,98],"tags":[35,49,34,67,50,61,55,53,22,48],"class_list":["post-3485","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-poem","category-poetry","category-solitude","category-storytime","tag-poems","tag-poetess","tag-poetry","tag-preciousowoko","tag-spokenword","tag-spokenwords","tag-stories","tag-story","tag-walkingshadowpoetry","tag-walkingshadowpoetrykenya"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Black-and-White-Square-Wedding-Logo-2.png?fit=500%2C500&ssl=1","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":3503,"url":"https:\/\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/in-this-intense-and-powerful-battlefield-i-dont-compete\/","url_meta":{"origin":3485,"position":0},"title":"In this intense and powerful Battlefield, I don&#8217;t compete","author":"walking shadow poetry kenya","date":"January 8, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"I don\u2019t compete against anyone.My battlefield is not another person\u2019s lane.My race is not their pace.I compete against my past\u2014my old records,my forgotten dreams,the promises I whispered to myselfand never fulfilled. So I challenge me.I chase the version of myselfthat once felt impossible.I look up to those ahead of me,not\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;poem&quot;","block_context":{"text":"poem","link":"https:\/\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/SPOKENWORDSandMODERNDAYPOETRY\/poem\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/img.youtube.com\/vi\/xacEsG4Cyfg\/0.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":2608,"url":"https:\/\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/i-thought-i-was-done-by-walking-shadow-poetry\/","url_meta":{"origin":3485,"position":1},"title":"I Thought I Was Done by walking shadow poetry","author":"walking shadow poetry kenya","date":"September 8, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"It started slow, just a voice in my mind,Saying things like, \"You\u2019re useless, you\u2019ll never findPeace in this life, nothing feels right.\"At first, I ignored it, kept it out of sight. But soon it got louder, hard to ignore,I started to wonder what life was for.I smiled in the day,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;POETRY&quot;","block_context":{"text":"POETRY","link":"https:\/\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/SPOKENWORDSandMODERNDAYPOETRY\/poetry\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"top view of empty blank page of open notebook with orange freesia flower against a black textured background empty space for text concept of nostalgia sadness or remembrance","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/pexels-photo-17234857.jpeg?fit=960%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/pexels-photo-17234857.jpeg?fit=960%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/pexels-photo-17234857.jpeg?fit=960%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/pexels-photo-17234857.jpeg?fit=960%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3200,"url":"https:\/\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/thank-you-for-loving-me-when-i-was-too-tired-to-love-myself\/","url_meta":{"origin":3485,"position":2},"title":"&#8220;Thank You for Loving Me When I Was Too Tired to Love Myself.&#8221;","author":"walking shadow poetry kenya","date":"April 7, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"The one who stayed when life got loud and silent all at once. You didn\u2019t walk in when things were perfect,you showed up when life was messy,when my smile was heavy,and my words were too tired to speak.You didn\u2019t ask me to explain the storm,you just stood next to me\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;poem&quot;","block_context":{"text":"poem","link":"https:\/\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/SPOKENWORDSandMODERNDAYPOETRY\/poem\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IMG_2600-scaled.jpg?fit=800%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IMG_2600-scaled.jpg?fit=800%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IMG_2600-scaled.jpg?fit=800%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IMG_2600-scaled.jpg?fit=800%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2616,"url":"https:\/\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/the-pain-of-trusting-by-walking-shadow-poetry\/","url_meta":{"origin":3485,"position":3},"title":"The Pain of Trusting by walking shadow poetry","author":"walking shadow poetry kenya","date":"September 8, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"I gave my heart, my secrets, my soul,To those I thought would keep me whole.I trusted deeply, without a doubt,But now I know what trust is about. The ones I loved, the ones I called mine,Turned their backs and crossed the line.They knew my fears, they knew my dreams,But broke\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;POETRY&quot;","block_context":{"text":"POETRY","link":"https:\/\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/SPOKENWORDSandMODERNDAYPOETRY\/poetry\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"the word betrayal spelled out in scrabble tiles","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/pexels-photo-19915914.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/pexels-photo-19915914.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/pexels-photo-19915914.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/pexels-photo-19915914.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/pexels-photo-19915914.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2700,"url":"https:\/\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/tired-of-temporary-by-walking-shadow-poetry\/","url_meta":{"origin":3485,"position":4},"title":"Tired of Temporary by walking shadow poetry","author":"walking shadow poetry kenya","date":"September 26, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"I'm done with the ones who come and go,Like whispers in the wind, fading slow.I've had enough of hollow promises,Of people who vanish when the storm rises. I need someone who stays, who\u2019s real,Not just words but someone who feels,Who lifts me up when the world feels low,Who helps me\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;POETRY&quot;","block_context":{"text":"POETRY","link":"https:\/\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/SPOKENWORDSandMODERNDAYPOETRY\/poetry\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"photo of woman sitting on floor","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/pexels-photo-3007355.jpeg?fit=800%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/pexels-photo-3007355.jpeg?fit=800%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/pexels-photo-3007355.jpeg?fit=800%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/pexels-photo-3007355.jpeg?fit=800%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2611,"url":"https:\/\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/dear-you-who-feels-alone-by-walking-shadow-poetry\/","url_meta":{"origin":3485,"position":5},"title":"Dear You, Who Feels Alone by walking shadow poetry.","author":"walking shadow poetry kenya","date":"September 8, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"I see you there, struggling in the dark,Feeling like life has lost its spark.I know the thoughts, I\u2019ve been there too,Wondering if anyone would care if you\u2019re through. It starts so quiet, a whisper in your head,Telling you maybe you'd be better off dead.You try to shake it, pretend you\u2019re\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;POETRY&quot;","block_context":{"text":"POETRY","link":"https:\/\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/SPOKENWORDSandMODERNDAYPOETRY\/poetry\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"anxious young woman cover wing ears with hands sitting on chair","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/pexels-photo-6382633.jpeg?fit=800%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/pexels-photo-6382633.jpeg?fit=800%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/pexels-photo-6382633.jpeg?fit=800%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/pexels-photo-6382633.jpeg?fit=800%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3485","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3485"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3485\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3487,"href":"https:\/\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3485\/revisions\/3487"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3486"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3485"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3485"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/walkingshadowpoetry.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3485"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}