There comes a time during the day when you need to take a break from the world, your friends and your family. Sometimes, you need to spend time alone where you will learn how to experience, appreciate and love yourself. You will learn how to be independent without being influenced or corrupted by the rest of society. Rather than constantly going out to dinner with your closest friends or spending weekend nights watching Netflix with your lover, live in solitude and do it all on your own.

Being around the ones you love is one of the most satisfying feelings — you feel comfortable, content, happy and loved. You share laughs, tears or intimate moments that create memories you’ll remember for the rest of your life. While being around people is great, living in solitude is equally as important and satisfying.

Almost every couple of days, I decide to ditch plans with friends and instead spend time with me, myself and I. Why do I isolate myself from those who uplift my world? It’s not that I dislike my friends or family, or that I’m not in the mood to socialize, or that I’m too lazy to make time for the people around me. It’s because I savor my few hours in solitude. This time reminds me to appreciate myself and my existence.

Being independent and living on your own will make you realize that even in the hardest or saddest of times, and in times when those around you are nowhere to be seen, you will always have yourself. Being alone will show that you are capable of living without the influence of others or the motivation of others. There’s no need for anyone to remind you of how funny, amazing or creative you are. There’s no need for someone to tell you the things that you should be able to come up with on your own.

Learn to enjoy your own company. Go shopping alone at your favorite store and after walking out of the fitting room, look at yourself in the mirror and decide for yourself whether or not that outfit suits you. Go to the movies alone, choose which film seems most appealing to you and eat the entire popcorn container sans sharing. Take a visit to your preferred museum and immerse yourself with your favorite artwork without being tied down by your friends who want to see another exhibit. By doing these common things you normally would do with friends or family, you’ll learn to be happy with yourself. You’ll soon realize that by isolating yourself for a bit, you will start to enjoy your own company and start doing things you truly want to do without being influenced by others.

It's true that the moments you spend by yourself will not necessarily be what you remember when you’re older and thinking back on your youth. However, the moments you spend with yourself and your mind now will shape you into the person that you will become in the future. Being independent can teach you more about yourself than anything else can. Spend some time alone, learn more about yourself, and learn to inspire yourself. Being isolated for a bit is healthy and can ensure that your mind is defined by you and only you.