How To Enjoy Life Alone: Breaking Out Of Loneliness
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We are social creatures by design. We are programmed to form relationships from the ages of the first societies, where being alone was the same as being dead. Fortunately, this is not the case anymore, and we can safely explore this possibility. Against common belief, being alone does not have to mean being lonely. In…
We are social creatures by design. We are programmed to form relationships from the ages of the first societies, where being alone was the same as being dead. Fortunately, this is not the case anymore, and we can safely explore this possibility.
Against common belief, being alone does not have to mean being lonely. In fact, you can be in a room full of people and still feel alone.
Our happiness does not have to depend on others, and learning how to enjoy life alone is very empowering.
Life does not end here for you, whether you happen to be or choose to be alone. Read on to discover actionable advice on how to enjoy life alone.
Is It Possible To Enjoy Life Alone?
Our society has stigmatized solitary individuals as failures – as though being alone signifies inadequacy in life. But anyone who claims that you can’t be absolutely thriving when being alone cannot be more wrong!
Ask this question to an introvert and prepare yourself to be amazed by the answer. Introverts flourish when they spend time on their own.
And it’s not because they don’t have friends or cannot appreciate some good company. It is just because being alone fuels their energy and unfolds their true potential.
Spending time alone is a fabulous chance to get to know yourself deeper, do the things you couldn’t do with others, and fall in love with life.
How To Enjoy Life Alone: Building The Right Mindset
Make A Mindset Shift
The first and central tip on enjoying life alone is to shift your mindset into believing it is indeed possible. A good starting point is to change the language you use to describe your situation.
For instance, instead of stating, “I am alone,” or “I don’t have a partner or any friends,” transform it to “I spend quality time with myself,” or “I don’t have aligned relationships at the moment.”
The words we use and the stories we tell ourselves matter significantly to our psychology. By changing your language, you take some guilt and negative feeling off of being alone.
The next step is to renounce the false belief that you cannot be happy and fulfilled by yourself.
The societal stereotype that you need external aid to meet your emotional and physical needs is entirely wrong.
Certainly – being in a relationship (of any kind) and being alone are two different states with different dynamics. Yet, you are perfectly capable of taking care of yourself and enjoying life alone.
Finally, remind yourself that being alone at the moment might be a temporary situation. When we are self-fulfilled and self-sufficient, we do not yearn for the emotional validation of a relationship. This helps us enter relationships in more equal and healthier terms.
Give Social Media A Break
Against the general belief that social media is where people go to connect, research suggests that social media use is linked to increased feelings of loneliness and depression.
One 2018 study on 143 undergraduates at the University of Pennsylvania showed that limited daily exposure to social media significantly reduced loneliness and depression.
The study also suggests limiting social media use to only 30 minutes daily can significantly improve an individual’s well-being.
So, why is this? Social platforms represent a form of peer pressure and inevitably throw you into the trap of social comparison.
If all the people you knew from high school are showing off their glossy group of friends, you are bound to feel a pang of loneliness.
Deepen Your Relationship With Yourself
Investing in your relationship with yourself is one of the most valuable things you can do. Spending time alone allows you to explore your thoughts, feelings, desires, and aspirations more profoundly.
Often, being with others serves as a distraction from sitting alone with uncomfortable thoughts and emotions.
However, getting to the bottom of these can help you be honest with yourself about who you are and what you need and want.
Explore yourself the way you would like to know more about a promising new acquaintance you made. Look at your “loneliness” as a chance to rediscover yourself.
The more you build a strong relationship with yourself, the more you can cater to your needs and feel less alone.
Be Honest About What You Need
What is it that you need from a friend or partner? Why do you choose to go into relationships? You can ponder these questions or take to your journal to explore your thoughts.
Pinpoint which needs you to seek to fulfill through others, and you will know what you have to do for yourself to be happy on your own.
Is it going out and having fun? – Take yourself out wherever you would go with someone else.
Is it emotional support? – Start processing your feelings through journaling or meditation, or even through therapy.
Get Comfortable With The Idea Of Doing Things Alone
This tip on how to enjoy life alone calls you to do mental preparation. It would help if you normalized the idea of doing things that you would usually do with others, alone.
We are programmed to “feel bad” for people doing activities alone when in reality, it is very empowering.
What if you don’t have somebody to accompany you to a fine meal in your favorite restaurant? Would you strip yourself of the joy of going? Wear your good clothes and take yourself out!
At first, you might feel like everyone is judgingly looking at you or that you don’t have something to make the time pass.
That is why it is best to start small, like going to the park or to the cinema to test things out. You can also bring things with you like music or a good book to keep you company.
How To Enjoy Life Alone In 6 Practical Ways
Take Yourself Out On Dates
As I mentioned before, you don’t have to stop doing the things you love because you don’t have the company.
Keep in mind loneliness can easily creep in when you don’t have things to keep you entertained or distracted. Now, it is more important than ever to infuse your days with joy and fun.
Here are some fun ideas for dates with yourself:
- Take yourself on a picnic on a sunny morning.
- Go watch a movie in theaters.
- Buy yourself a meal accompanied by a good book.
- Take a dancing or cooking class.
- Visit a museum.
- Go to a festival or event.
Build A Schedule
When you only have to account for yourself for your off-work time, it is easy to fall back in bed and stare at your phone all day.
However, this is only going to increase your FOMO and exacerbate the feeling of loneliness.
Make a commitment to yourself to keep your life healthy and occupied with the things you love.
To make it easier to stay on track, build yourself a schedule that will include healthy meals, exercise, time outside, self-care, and fun activities.
Decorate Your Space
Being alone may translate to spending more time at home. Even though you might be excited to get back home after a long day outside, being in there by default may not evoke the same good feelings.
Sooner or later, you may get the feeling of entrapment. So, before your house turns into a prison in your head, know that you can have a good time staying in, as well. This can be easier if you turn your personal space into your sanctuary.
Fill it with the things that lift your mood and keep you entertained. For example, you can get candles for some aromatherapy or have books around whenever you get bored.
Also, spending time decluttering and decorating your house can be a great activity to do by yourself.
Adopt A Pet Or Plants
To alleviate the feeling of loneliness, you need some good-old company. Parenting a pet or a plant can absolutely do the trick!
Adopting a pet will bring a new purpose into your life. Bonding with a little creature will give you much laughter, goofy moments, and a sense of being needed. You will have someone to wait for you when you get back home.
If you are not an animal person, you can buy some plants to decorate your home with. Even though it sounds like a “cheap” alternative, taking care of plants needs dedication and patience.
It will keep you busy and accountable, and it can also teach you a thing or two about the devotion you should have to take care of yourself.
Start A New Hobby
To better enjoy life alone, you may need to get more creative with your free time. Who says hobbies are reserved for children alone?
Explore your interests and get invested in a hobby. Making a new beginning will give your life a sense of excitement and purpose.
While spending quality time doing something you enjoy, you also give yourself a chance to interact with like-minded people. Social interaction will do you good even if it doesn’t result in a serious relationship.
Volunteer
Volunteering is a great way to find purpose in life, feel useful, and give back to society at the same time.
Participating in endeavors that provide a sense of value and contribution can redirect your attention away from isolation and towards the positive influence you can have on the world.
Supporting a cause you resonate with, donating money, or directly aiding people in need are some of the ways you can give back.
While volunteering, you can also connect with people that care for the same values and ideals.
Conclusion On How To Enjoy Life Alone
Being alone does not have to mean being lonely. It is possible to enjoy life alone and thrive in solitude.
By shifting your mindset, limiting social media use, deepening your relationship with yourself, being honest about what you need, getting comfortable with doing things alone, and adopting practical ways to enjoy life, you can find joy and fulfillment in your own company.
Embracing solitude can lead to self-discovery, personal growth, and a stronger sense of self. So, don’t let societal stigmas hold you back from enjoying life alone.