The Beginner’s Guide to Being Happy Alone

In today’s world, socializing has become a large part of every individual’s life. However, by chasing the company of people, many individuals have forgotten how to spend some time with themselves- and also have fun while doing it. Spending some time alone can increase self-awareness or give you a way to relieve yourself from the overstimulation that you might usually be exposed to. If you are someone who doesn’t give yourself much space, doing so might also be relaxing.

It gives time for you to sit with your thoughts and work through them, which in the long run, might also be helpful for personal growth. This article lets the reader explore how they can spend some time alone, prioritizing their happiness and well-being while doing so.

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Challenges in Being Alone

The thought of alone time can come off as scary- you might be afraid of boredom, or even judgment from other people. However, it is necessary to prioritize yourself. In some cases, people find themselves alone, often due to many reasons, such as having a dislike towards social interactions. Many of these people might not enjoy being alone either. Thus, the biggest challenge in being alone can be considered to be the ability to enjoy your own company.

People, when spending time alone, can experience the fear of being isolated in the long term. These people are also likely to feel lonelier. The new concept of ‘FOMO’ (fear of missing out) also becomes a barrier while giving yourself space, as you might be occupied with thoughts of what others might be doing at the very moment when you are sitting by yourself. Another major challenge deals with the ability to regulate your thoughts. When alone, it is obvious that more thoughts pop up in your head.

This means that the negative thoughts and emotions that you experience might also heighten. It provides many opportunities to confront your innermost thoughts, which although challenging, also helps in personal growth. People who try to give themselves some alone time might also have to deal with the stigma that surrounds the concept of solitude, which could lead to increasing questions from society.

Finding Comfort in Solitude

If you are someone who has recently realized the importance of individual time, then it’s likely that it’ll take some time for you to be comfortable in just your presence. While there is no right way to go about it, these tips might help embrace solitude. As you begin, try to see what works out for you the best.

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• Look Away from Their Lives: Avoid comparing your own life to that of others. If you do so, you’ll only find yourself to be unhappy, stuck in a toxic cycle of comparison.
• Walk Through your Thoughts: Set apart short periods to just sit with your thoughts, taking away any other stimulus that might distract you. Listen to what you have to say to yourself.
• Stay Active: Exercising can stimulate your body. It promotes both mental and physical well-being. Try it! You’ll feel fresh after your morning stretches followed by one hot cup of coffee.
• Nature is your Best Friend: Spend time being surrounded by nature- it’s not a lie that nature has healing powers. Take a stroll through your nearest park, hear the birds chirp and the water in the fountains flow.
• Those hobbies have gathered some dust: Plan things for yourself. Do what you enjoy doing, but have been putting out since you had no time for yourself. Most of all, take yourself on a date (Promise, it’s fun!)
• Take a Break from Your Thoughts: Balance! If you are constantly dealing with your thoughts, you might exhaust yourself. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Acknowledge all your actions that have turned out in rewards. Don’t forget to appreciate yourself.
• Digital Detox: Try taking a break from the digital world- this refers to any social media platforms you are on, or in general, your phone. While you might not be engaging with people directly, phones do connect you to the external world in the broader sense.

How can you Keep Yourself Going?

The journey of being alone is not an easy one to start. Even after you successfully begin with it, you might find it difficult to stick to. Let’s address some things to consider as you go on- you can’t let the discomfort back in, can you?

• Shake it Up: Don’t make your routines monotonous, that’s the easiest way to make yourself hate spending time alone. Try new things, but also make sure you don’t exhaust yourself while doing it.
• Self-care: The main reason you should be spending time alone is exactly for this, so make sure that it doesn’t find itself on the sidelines. Also, remember that self-care is not limited to your physical needs, so prioritize your mental health as well.
• Hone your Coping Skills: Being able to cope with negative emotions is a skill that helps you move forward in life. Reality throws both the good and the bad at you. Recognize your strength as you find yourself on your journey, and be kind to yourself. Acknowledge that everything won’t go as planned, and prepare yourself to be able to get through the worst.
• Address your Relationships: Being alone does not mean cutting off all your other relationships. With growing comfort in solitude, you might avoid social interactions. However, you need to find a balance as both are equally important. Meet your friends, converse with your family, compliment your acquaintances and greet people you pass by. After all, human beings are social animals, and socializing is also of priority.

Solitude is required in every individual’s life for personal growth. It is important to let yourself have space to avoid suffocation by constant social interactions. Most importantly, as you start your journey, or find ways to be happy in it, do not confuse being alone and being lonely. It’s crucial to understand your thoughts and make a conscious effort to be with yourself. Solitude has the potential to be the source of your strength.

If it’s the other way around, and you are struggling to cope with the feelings of loneliness, then visit a mental health professional to be guided in the right path. This article helps you realize the importance of spending time with yourself. However, it does not mean that it should replace socializing. To increase your quality of life and well-being, strike a balance between both, and you will find yourself two steps closer to living a fulfilled life.