How to Enjoy Being Alone | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

How to Enjoy Being Alone

Next time you find yourself feeling lonely and want to combat potentially destructive thoughts that can come with being alone, try some of these ideas to embrace your solitude.

119
How to Enjoy Being Alone
Tumblr

I was a senior in high school the first time I lived alone. I was subletting a room in an apartment in LA, where I stayed for about a month while doing an internship. Even though it was summer, and I was doing fascinating research at UCLA, this was easily one of the most emotionally challenging months of my life. When I wasn't at the lab, I was either sitting alone in my room or sitting alone in a coffee shop, blasting music through my headphones to silence my overflowing thoughts.

Prior to coming to LA, I had made enormous strides in battling my depression and body dysmorphia, but coming to a place where I knew no one and felt completely alone, I quickly fell back into my old self-destructive habits.Although I consider myself an introvert, being completely alone or isolated from my peers and family was extremely difficult for me. Fortunately, since coming to college, I've grown a lot more comfortable with my own company. Instead of sending me into a cycle of negative thoughts, being alone now provides me with the mental clarity to introspect or think deeply about my life and personal growth.

If you learn to become your own best friend, you'll be less vulnerable to boredom or loneliness. You can learn to be grateful for time you get to spend with yourself, rather than resentful of own your company. Next time you find yourself feeling lonely and want to combat potentially destructive thoughts that can come with being alone, try some of these ideas to embrace your solitude.

1. Get creative

Draw, write, dance, make music. While I don't think that distracting yourself is always the best way to combat loneliness, I think there is a degree of self discovery that comes with expressing oneself creatively that is worthwhile when you're overcoming solitude. I love writing in my journal because it's a way for me to meditate on current events and emotions in my life, while being able to look back and observe them with a degree of objectivity.

2. Listen to music

Especially when I go on long car rides or walks, it's really difficult for me to be with myself without listening to music. Being comfortable with solely the sound of my own thoughts is something I still continue to work on, but until I fully learn to be with my own thoughts, here's a morning playlist that keeps my mind at ease while I walk to class:

"Dreams" - Fleetwood Mac

"Nothin On My Mind" - Astronomyy

"All I Wanna Do" - The Beach Boys

"Ivy" - Frank Ocean

"All My Friends" - LCD Soundsystem

"All the Ways" - Wet

"Good Feeling" - Violent Femmes

"Laika" - Sticky Fingers

"Dazzle" - Oh Wonder

3. Make a fancy meal

With no one around to judge your cooking, you can really experiment in the kitchen. Cooking for yourself is really satisfying because everything tastes better when you know how much work you put into it, and the process itself is super fun.

4. Be in nature

Whether this means going for a run, hiking, or just sitting and observing the beautiful world around you, being in nature can be one of the most emotionally and spiritually grounded experiences. For me, spending a little time every day outside is really healing and a nice way to enjoy my own company. It also allows me to think and reflect on my life in a peaceful, non-stressful setting. However, make sure, when you're thinking, to look at situations and your emotions objectively, and be careful not to overanalyze or be overly critical of yourself.

5. Relax

Take a long bath or shower. Meditate. Do whatever is relaxing to you, don't touch your phone, and really try to enjoy your own company. Give yourself time to focus on nothing but being where you are in the present moment.

No matter where you are in your journey to enjoying the time you spend alone, I encourage you to try to go to at least one meal alone every day. College can be hectic, and we are constantly being bombarded by phone notifications and social obligations. Taking a little time for yourself every day is something you can do that will really help you love yourself and your company as you mature.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

190567
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

15093
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

457999
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

26705
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments