Recently, I have been working on this question, "How do you make yourself happy?" I have always depended on other people for a good laugh, company to watch a movie, someone to eat a meal with. However, I've becoming to realize that there is only so far this can go. There is only so much other people can provide for you. This summer, the party has been a party of one. Maybe even a party of one with elevator music on replaying the song "Me, Myself and I." You get the point. For various reasons, like my home friends traveling abroad at different times or taking up internships in different states, I have found myself having to spend time with myself. Weird, right? When is the last time you made plans to hang out with yourself? While I am aware of how odd this sounds, I've come to learn quite a lot about how to make myself happy on my own.

1. You can find happiness in the smallest ways.

Not everything has to be big. My school friends post snap stories of them at a country concert or out at the newest club, and yeah, I'll admit, it looks like a lot of fun. I'd love to be there. But when you live several of thousands of miles away, it's all on you to find this sort of happiness on your own. There's no point in sulking around, miserable. And believe it or not, when I realized this, I found happiness in the smallest ways. I tried a new smoothie place, I took a drive with the windows down jamming to my favorite song, I walked my dog as the sunset -- and took a moment to appreciate it. I bought a new beach ball, which has been a highlight of the summer, and I don't mind that. Now, it makes me happy.

2. I've found new interests that I wouldn't have normally found time for.

Had I been wrapped up with a tight calendar, shuffling plans, constantly grabbing my keys and running out the door to catch the next friend, the next plan, I wouldn't have picked up a book this summer. But that one book I picked up and took time for myself to read, turned into three more books I picked up and took more time to read, which turned into a new-found love of reading. Believe me, I might be the most impatient person I've ever met. I never thought I would be able to sit through a book. Yet, I've sat through and thoroughly enjoyed several already, with a long list of more I need to take on. I wander Barnes and Nobel for hours, contemplating which novel to read next. All because I made plans with myself, and in turn, learned something new.

3. I've learned to appreciate how to look forward to something.

I've been home every day the past month, and will be the rest of summer as well. However, the week of July 4th, I am venturing up north to meet up with some friends and family. While I normally would count hanging out with my friends a daily routine, since I haven't been able to, it makes seeing them this much more exciting. I get to actually count down the days until this vacation. When is the last time I have been able to count down the days for something? I am not sure. When not everything is the most fun thing in the world, it makes looking forward to these types of days much more rewarding.

This summer take the time to invest in yourself. Plan to hang out with yourself a little bit, regardless if you live near your best friends or they are multiple miles away. You could learn a lot about how to make yourself happy, so next time you find yourself alone, it won't seem so miserable. Because if you know how to make yourself happy, then what's more important than that?