There’s a difference between being alone and being lonely. In the recent years I have felt that a person needs to learn how to be alone without feeling lonely. As someone with a limited amount of friends and more than enough time to spend by myself, I had to learn that even through my loneliest days -- the days when I was insecure, bullied and dejected — I still had to be alone. In high school, when things were far from easy, most of my time alone I spent crying. I was too concerned with searching for companionship that I neglected my own.

A short four years later, I had an epiphany. I realized that I need to learn to cherish myself and my time alone, now I love it. I still enjoy time with my friends and family, but I can go out somewhere all by myself and still manage to have a considerably enjoyable time.

I began to treasure my time alone when I did an internship for a very popular theme park in the Orlando area. I had four apartment mates and one roommate. Between working erratic hours and spending as much time as I could exploring my new surroundings, for the first time, I was never on my own. It was genuinely incredible. It was the first time in my life that I had someone to be with every day.

I then got sick and I started to pull away from my roommates and work because I knew that with how I was feeling, I wouldn’t stay in the internship for much longer. It started with me going to market alone. It ended with me going to the theme park alone. I know that sounds outrageous, but yes, I went to a very popular Orlando theme park by myself and it changed my life. I had so much fun. And it wasn’t just because I was at the theme park, it was because I finally got to do what I wanted. I saw the parades that I wanted to see, I didn’t go on any rides that I wasn’t up for, I ate what I wanted to eat and ultimately, I loved it.

Despite the fact that the internship’s over, I find thrill in doing other things alone as well. I enjoy meals, outings and studying among other things by myself. From riding the buses in my area around until I find something I would like to do, to watching movies on my own -- realizing this changed my self-perception. I was no longer the miserable person I was in high school. For the first time, I was happy whether or not I was on my own.

So this week, weekend or whenever you happen to stumble upon this article, I want you to go do something that you enjoy alone. Get out of where you live, and don’t bring your responsibilities either. Just go somewhere and enjoy it. See a movie, grab food or even go to the beach. Sit and relax. You owe it to yourself to enjoy yourself. It’s time to learn how to be your own best friend.