Ever gone to the movies by yourself? Utter "One please" to the hostess at a restaurant? Attend a museum alone? I have, and I'm not at all ashamed to say it. 10-year-old me would say that doing things by yourself is sad, but 21-year-old me has found joy in solitude. College taught me that surrounding yourself with friends and company is indeed wonderful, but time alone is absolutely necessary.
You do not need to be in the presence of another person every waking hour of the day.
I went through a lot of stress and anxiety my sophomore year of college because I was unable to have time to myself. I discovered that a surplus of time with friends and family tends to overwhelm me. After taking time that I needed I felt much more in tune with myself and developed a clearer understanding of how I wish to feel.
I found myself journaling my frustrations instead of burdening my friends with my emotions. By having written down my thoughts I was able to analyze them in a more constructive manner, thus coming to more gratifying conclusions.
Be careful not to become infatuated with solitude. It can become a problem if you start to prefer your own company over others. A handful of times I have caught myself wishing I was alone when accompanied by a friend. The freedom of singularity is tempting.
Spending more time unaccompanied also made me more appreciative of who I am as a person. Focusing on yourself is not selfish, and it's something many people overlook.
Don't be ashamed or embarrassed that you need time away from friends or family. I believe it to be necessary and refreshing.
