What did Ralph Waldo Emerson in self reliance mean when he said, it is easy in solitude to live after our own?

Answer 1

I believe he was saying when you live alone, away from the influence of others, it is easy to 'be yourself' - to 'live after your own' heart and mind.

When we are around others, it is easy (in fact likely) that we will be influenced by them (e.g. peer pressure). That influence may keep us from living life by our own standards. Society tends to push us to adopt society's standards.