How many times have you missed out on experiences, shows, parties, or events because you had nobody to go with? Sure, attending concerts with friends and going on an adventure with a group is a blast, but so is enjoying your own company! It's important to not only be comfortable spending time alone but to prioritize it. The following are activities to try doing alone:
1. Hiking.
Taking the time to enjoy the great outdoors -- just yourself and Mother Nature -- is incredibly liberating and enjoyable. Not only are you giving yourself time to think and reflect, but you're doing so among the beauty the world has to provide. I often feel that when I hike by myself, I actually take in and appreciate the scenery even more than when I hike with friends. You can go at your own pace and stay as long as you like.
Despite what you may have been told, hiking by yourself doesn't have to be scary or dangerous. You just have to be smart about it! Make sure you're well prepared with food, water, maps, and other hiking/camping essentials, don't do anything dangerous, and you'll be fine. Most importantly, make sure you let someone know where you're going and when you expect to be home.
2. Dining out.
I don't understand why dining out alone has become so taboo. There's something pleasant about going out to eat or drink with a good book, journal, smart phone, or even nothing at all. It doesn't make you strange to be perfectly content with your own company.
3. Skiing and snowboarding.
Like hiking, being alone in nature can be very refreshing! However, if you're skiing or boarding at popular resorts, you'll probably find yourself surrounded by more people than you would on a hike. When you ski or snowboard alone, you can go as quickly or slowly as you like down whichever run sounds appealing. You can take the time to work on your technique, try new tricks, and attempt harder runs without worrying about going the pace of a group.
4. Going to movies, plays, concerts, and events.
If one of your favorite musicians is coming to town, or there's a movie you've been dying to see, don't miss out on it just because your friends can't go. Nobody actually talks to each other in theaters once the lights go down anyway, so it doesn't matter if you're by yourself. Going to concerts alone is a blast, and you're more open to meeting new people. It's important to be able to have fun by yourself!
5. Going to the gym.
Whether it be running on a treadmill or lifting weights, you'll probably get a better workout if you go by yourself. Even if you have to ask a stranger to spot you, you'll decrease your rest time between sets, stay more focused on your workout, and push yourself harder. Working out in general helps you relieve stress and escape your day for a while. Don't get me wrong, working out with a buddy is a blast, but it's great to go independently, as well.
6. Shopping.
Whether it be at a bookstore or outlet mall, shopping alone is so much fun. You can leisurely sample books and magazines. You can try on as many clothes as you want without feeling rushed, and alternatively, you don't have to wait for that friend that spends hours in the dressing room. Sure, maybe you won't get their opinion on an outfit, but that's what Snapchat is for.
7. Going for a drive or ferry ride.
Pick out a favorite album or playlist and drive with no particular destination in mind, just to see where the road takes you. Enjoy a ferry ride with your headphones in, or just listen to the sound of the ocean. Some days, you need to get away for a while. A change of scenery or going on a new adventure may be just what you need to take you out of the funk a routine provides.
8. Traveling.
Traveling alone will change you. It will change how you look at yourself, your life, and the world around you. While it is scary and you do get homesick, you open yourself up to the world and people around you more than if you travel with friends or family. Seize any opportunity to step outside your comfort zone and see the world. By doing so, you will grow, learn, and flourish.
Being alone can certainly seem scary and unfamiliar at first, but with a little practice, you'll be an expert.
