Alone time has nothing to do with introverts and extroverts; it concerns itself with making us live mentally healthier lives.
Throughout my college years, I have tirelessly worked hard to make sure that I graduate and receive my Bachelor's Degree. At the same time, there are moments of quality bonding with new and old friends - making plans to hang out on campus or somewhere in the city. I was able to sleep, study, and have a social life: three things that young adults claim are hard to combine.
What was missing from the trio, however, was being able to have good mental health. All-nighters, last minute essays, midterms/finals, break-ups. losing/fighting with friends, declining GPA, extracurricular responsibilities, work, poor banking, family problems: these are many of the things that college students are facing. Sure, some people may claim that they are not easily stressed, but in silence, there is a growing sense of despair when it comes to handling everything thrown at them.
In the moments when I was super stressed, I knew that I could count on my friends to cheer me up, but resorting to friends is not necessarily enough to make the situation better. So what did I do? I isolated myself to a spot on campus that I would visit during the afternoon/evening and just sit there. I turned off my phone and just sat in a chair, gazing at the stars, listening to nature, and ultimately understand my struggles.
In this day and age, we misunderstand alone time and often relate it to being a depressed person or introvert. Even with the negative connotations, there is nothing wrong with alone time. Why? In various situations, it allowed me to think more critically about my life. I often made time for myself not because I do not want to be around people but because I was able to find a peace of mind when dealing with situations. Whenever I was stressed, I sat in silence and thought about the situation that bothered me the most. I considered all the factors: what went wrong, what did I do wrong, what did the other person involved do (if applicable). In other words, alone time allowed me to understand why things happened the way they did, and, rather than brooding on the past, i can possibly find a way to overcome the situation so that I could spent my days with a better outlook.
With all the various problems faced in our lifetime, never forget about the saving power of "me-time." The state of our mental health is crucial in helping us live worry-free lives. #HakunaMatata
