Without discrediting the importance of community, what I think is so often overlooked in our culture today is the value of solitude and time alone. This is what I'm feeling most compelled by right now. Isolation isn't as efficient, economical or even as sustainable as living in groups - and living alone in a rural area can compound these complications. No matter how you slice it deep solitude ends up being a bit of a luxury - which means that whenever it actually is available you have to appreciate it all the more.