There's certainly a negative connotation to being alone. Life is always more of a party when you're surrounded by your friends and other people that you love. As human beings, we don't typically like not sharing in our experiences with these other human beings. But here's the catch: You won't always be around people, but you will always be around you.
Yes. It's true. So you should probably learn how to enjoy spending time with yourself.
Because you're not exactly alone when you're by yourself. You're actually hanging out, with yourself. That might not sound fun unless you know how to do it right!
Your alone time should be enjoyable. Here are some simple tips for getting the most out of your solitude:
1. Be productive.
You might be thinking that this doesn't sound like fun...at all. And sure, maybe it's not the most exciting thing on the list, but being productive can help you feel so much better about yourself. Get the homework you've been putting off out of the way. Organize the drawer you've been saying you want to sort out for weeks. Rearrange your bookshelf, do your laundry. The boring possibilities are endless! No matter what you choose, it's just one more thing off your conscience.
2. Treat yourself.
You might as well. Order take-out and binge watch your favorite Netflix show. It's a wonderful and rewarding way to relax after what was most likely a stressful week of school or work. I've found that mozzarella sticks and Once Upon a Time are a fantastic combination.
3. Read.
Okay, maybe that only sounds appealing to people like me, but it's an awesome pastime! Pluck a book you've been meaning to finish off the shelf. Delve into something you've always wanted to read, but never got around to starting. Check out something random from the library and see what you think of it. Study a topic you've always wanted to learn more about. Books are a portal to thousands of different worlds.
4. Get crafty.
You're alone with nothing to do? Break out the craft supplies. If it's a holiday season, make your space more festive. Maybe there's a DIY craft on Pinterest that you've been dying to try for ages. You'll probably be too busy too ever intentionally do this again, so now is the time.
5. Journal.
Life is a super exciting place. I find it's always valuable to jot down your thoughts about the here and the now, to look back on when you're in the there and the then. Trust me, you don't want to forget.
6. Take long showers.
No one can stop you. No one can yell at you for singing Kelly Clarkson hits at an obscene volume. No one can scold you for rinsing and repeating six times. The bathroom is your oyster.
7. Drink good coffee.
In my opinion, life is too short to EVER drink bad coffee. But for all intents and purposes, I'll stress its impertinence here. Wake up in the morning and use the good creamer. Buy the flavored creamers. Invest in some quality beans. I find it sets a good tone for the rest of your day. And if you're not a coffee drinker? Get out of my article right now.
Hopefully this was somewhat helpful and at least sparked a couple of ideas for you. Friends come and go, but we're always going to have ourselves. We might as well learn to enjoy the time we spend in our solitude before all the craziness begins again.
