How to Enjoy Being Alone
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

How to Enjoy Being Alone

Next time you find yourself feeling lonely and want to combat potentially destructive thoughts that can come with being alone, try some of these ideas to embrace your solitude.

117
How to Enjoy Being Alone
Tumblr

I was a senior in high school the first time I lived alone. I was subletting a room in an apartment in LA, where I stayed for about a month while doing an internship. Even though it was summer, and I was doing fascinating research at UCLA, this was easily one of the most emotionally challenging months of my life. When I wasn't at the lab, I was either sitting alone in my room or sitting alone in a coffee shop, blasting music through my headphones to silence my overflowing thoughts.

Prior to coming to LA, I had made enormous strides in battling my depression and body dysmorphia, but coming to a place where I knew no one and felt completely alone, I quickly fell back into my old self-destructive habits.Although I consider myself an introvert, being completely alone or isolated from my peers and family was extremely difficult for me. Fortunately, since coming to college, I've grown a lot more comfortable with my own company. Instead of sending me into a cycle of negative thoughts, being alone now provides me with the mental clarity to introspect or think deeply about my life and personal growth.

If you learn to become your own best friend, you'll be less vulnerable to boredom or loneliness. You can learn to be grateful for time you get to spend with yourself, rather than resentful of own your company. Next time you find yourself feeling lonely and want to combat potentially destructive thoughts that can come with being alone, try some of these ideas to embrace your solitude.

1. Get creative

Draw, write, dance, make music. While I don't think that distracting yourself is always the best way to combat loneliness, I think there is a degree of self discovery that comes with expressing oneself creatively that is worthwhile when you're overcoming solitude. I love writing in my journal because it's a way for me to meditate on current events and emotions in my life, while being able to look back and observe them with a degree of objectivity.

2. Listen to music

Especially when I go on long car rides or walks, it's really difficult for me to be with myself without listening to music. Being comfortable with solely the sound of my own thoughts is something I still continue to work on, but until I fully learn to be with my own thoughts, here's a morning playlist that keeps my mind at ease while I walk to class:

"Dreams" - Fleetwood Mac

"Nothin On My Mind" - Astronomyy

"All I Wanna Do" - The Beach Boys

"Ivy" - Frank Ocean

"All My Friends" - LCD Soundsystem

"All the Ways" - Wet

"Good Feeling" - Violent Femmes

"Laika" - Sticky Fingers

"Dazzle" - Oh Wonder

3. Make a fancy meal

With no one around to judge your cooking, you can really experiment in the kitchen. Cooking for yourself is really satisfying because everything tastes better when you know how much work you put into it, and the process itself is super fun.

4. Be in nature

Whether this means going for a run, hiking, or just sitting and observing the beautiful world around you, being in nature can be one of the most emotionally and spiritually grounded experiences. For me, spending a little time every day outside is really healing and a nice way to enjoy my own company. It also allows me to think and reflect on my life in a peaceful, non-stressful setting. However, make sure, when you're thinking, to look at situations and your emotions objectively, and be careful not to overanalyze or be overly critical of yourself.

5. Relax

Take a long bath or shower. Meditate. Do whatever is relaxing to you, don't touch your phone, and really try to enjoy your own company. Give yourself time to focus on nothing but being where you are in the present moment.

No matter where you are in your journey to enjoying the time you spend alone, I encourage you to try to go to at least one meal alone every day. College can be hectic, and we are constantly being bombarded by phone notifications and social obligations. Taking a little time for yourself every day is something you can do that will really help you love yourself and your company as you mature.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

52782
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

33913
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

956609
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

181423
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments