Unless you are constantly traveling yourself, you have likely experienced at least one week of summer in which you are left seemingly alone at home while all your friends are off galavanting about on excellent adventures. Even if you haven't, these tips can help you in the future.
1. Clean or redecorate your room
Creating a new environment for yourself is a very relaxing and healthy way to spend free time. Perhaps you've been meaning to for a while and have been putting it off for months, but a week or two with less social outings is the perfect opportunity to pick up or rearrange some furniture. Perhaps even hang up some new pictures or clean out your closet to make room for a new wardrobe. Changing up your room can be a very introspective experience, so put on some music and have fun with it.
2. Spend time outside
These days, hanging out with friends typically means going out to eat, watching a movie or lounging around on couches inside. If you find yourself bored or sulking when your friends are out of town, go outside, walk your dog, take a hike. Finding a new place to relax outside and enjoy the scenery can be a very cathartic, solo adventure, and some fresh air is good for the body as well.
3. Read that new book
This is another activity that you may have been postponing for a while, as reading can seem bland and unexciting when your friends are around to go out with, but settling down with a good book can be very relaxing. Enjoying some quiet time to yourself is completely necessary sometimes and there is no better way than getting lost in good literature, especially as it can be educational, informative, and entertaining.
4. Exercise
With more time to yourself, taking care of yourself physically seems like a pretty obvious way to spend it. Going to the gym, going out for a run, or any other kind of way you like to exercise will not only help you stay fit and healthy, but is a great opportunity for some meditative thought and releasing tension. You may find you enjoy something you once thought of as a chore and start adding it in to your typical schedule.
5. Pick up a new hobby
You may find that some time alone is the perfect opportunity to try new things. Give painting a go or pick up some knitting needles. Don't be afraid to branch out and try things you may have shielded away from or been too nervous or embarrassed to try. There is no pressure to genuinely enjoy or be great at the activity, but trying new things can help you realize new things about yourself.
6. Spend time with people you may otherwise not get the chance to
If you feel that all your friends are away and you're absolutely desperate for some socializing, try to think about other circles you may be involved in and people you may typically overlook when it comes to making plans. This is the perfect chance to call up that school acquaintance or the friend of a friend you've been civil with but never got the chance to hang out with alone. Getting to know new people and widening your friend group is going to be very beneficial in the long run and, again, offers an opportunity to learn about yourself, as well.
