For whatever reason, our minds are programmed to envision ourselves with twelve cats and a walker when we hear the word “alone." The word carries a heavy weight for us, but why should it? After all, being alone just gives us time to focus on ourselves. Society shapes us to be well, social, and depend on others more than our ourselves. Instead of the word making you feel abandoned, it should make you feel at ease. It's a time to take mental inventory and really reflect on a level which you can't when you're with others.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying ditch society and move to a mountaintop with a pet goat, but if that sounds like a plan, by all means. When your thoughts are conjoined with the vocalization of others, it can be hard to hear everything on your own mind. You know when you're alone for the first time in a while and your mind drifts to places you'd never want to revisit, or places you didn't even knew existed? Sometimes it can be haunting, but it's necessary to understanding every portion of yourself.

Being beside yourself is the perfect time to take inventory of these things, especially your dreams. Life can get busy, that's a given. We fall in to routines, hang out with family and friends and have to make a living somehow. With all things considered, it's pretty easy to lose sight of what we want to accomplish for ourselves.

There's a lot of pressure to spend your time with company. When you're a young twenty-something, your peers will think you're crazy for opting to spend a Friday night reading rather than clubbing, or they think something is “wrong with you” if you don't have a significant other. Socialization is something that is a top priority for some. After all, social media is all about how many likes you can get and how many people are seeing what you post. Everyone is so intertwined that it can be even a chore to separate for even a few minutes.

When you're by yourself, you start to notice more about yourself. There's no immediate person to compare yourself to. Not so surprisingly, you can learn a lot that way! You'll know what makes you happy and some things you thought did, actually don't. Most importantly, you remind yourself that you rule.

When you finally do get those solo moments, you know those songs that just make you feel at home with yourself? Mine is (Un)lost by The Maine. For me, it's a reminder that of the person I want to become. Sure, “easy” is the last word I'd use to describe life, but it's a reminder that I don't have to have everything figured out right now. I feel at home because it reminds me that I'm still actively striving for my dreams.

“Control what you can, confront what you can't,” are always lyrics that resonate strongly with those who also love the song. No one will be able to control everything, but confronting what you cannot, is huge. When faced with adversity, many accept defeat or avoid admitting their faults, but doing so doesn't bring you closer to what you seek to accomplish.

Through it all, you are you. There is no one like you. With all of your good, bad, and beautiful, never forget how amazing you are.

“Always remember how lucky you are to have yourself.”