As a college student, life can get pretty overwhelming sometimes. And if you're like me, it's not the course load or your job that gets you; it's your social responsibilities.
I realize I might be speaking for the minority here, but you read that right, being consistently social just overwhelms me. It exhausts me. It makes my head hurt thinking about how people are constantly trying to find ways to fill every second of their time with social interaction. I know that there are absolutely people like that and I give them some immense props, but that is just not the life that was chosen for me.
I am a firm believer in relishing in your alone time and taking full advantage of it because guess what, it's good for you and you deserve time to yourself! Time to recover and refresh and feel like you again. Time to learn about yourself and grow and figure out what you truly do want to spend your time on. So here are a few things to do when you finally decide to take advantage of your "you" time.
1. Take yourself on a date.
From personal experience, I can tell you there is nothing more relaxing than going to get food alone whether that be getting take out from your favorite little Mediterranean joint for lunch or going to a nice dinner where you completely spoil yourself.
2. Pop in your favorite guilty pleasure movie.
My go-to's are 500 Days of Summer, If I Stay or Love, or Rosie, if you guys need some suggestions. Maybe even cry a little, who knows.
3. Discover new music.
I highly recommend scouring through the 'browse' section of Spotify because you will find some hidden gems within those playlists.
4. Adventure to a new place.
I'm from the suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio and some of my favorite alone days were driving to Cleveland by myself and exploring the market, coffee shops, and book stores.
5. Speaking of bookstores, spend some time in one. And read!
Reading is one of my favorite ways to spend alone time. I love being engulfed in the story because just for a short time it takes me away from reality and responsibilities.
6. But if you aren't quite the reader, find a new show to binge watch.
Who doesn't like a long afternoon spent tucked under the covers being sucked into one too many episodes of How To Get Away With Murder or better yet, New Girl?
7. Spoil yourself.
You can interpret this any which way you choose, whether that be by shopping and getting those new shoes you've been eyeing or purchasing concert tickets or even taking a long relaxing bath full of bubbles.
8. People watch.
Sounds funny, but you all know what I'm talking about! Sit your butt down and enjoy living vicariously through other people's lives.
9. Go to a museum.
Go to that art museum that none of your friends are even remotely interested in. This way you can take your time and genuinely enjoy it and leave happy and glad you went.
10. Clean!
Okay, I know this doesn't sound ideal but tidying up your personal space is scientifically proven (I think) to make you mentally feel better. So give it a shot!
11. Go to a coffee shop.
This sounds so cliche, but when I say go to a coffee shop, I don't mean "go to your local one and just order a coffee to go". I mean find a little hole-in-the-wall shop and sit down for a few hours and work on that project you have been delaying lately.
12. Start on a new hobby.
Nothing is more exciting than finding something new that sparks your interest. Look into picking up on a new language or cooking or I don't know, playing an instrument. Anything goes!
13. Discover yourself again.
I am a firm believer in spending your alone time doing things you truly love and are passionate about. Sometimes when we are with other people, we spend our minutes and hours stuck, just doing what our friends want. However, when you are alone it is up to you to decide what you want to do. So sleep all day or eat that whole pizza or learn Italian or make a new playlist. Your alone time is for you, and you only. So enjoy.
