The Importance Of Spending Time Alone | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

The Importance Of Spending Time Alone

There is so much beauty behind being alone.

59
The Importance Of Spending Time Alone
Wanderlust

There is a lot of emphasis and pressure placed on consistently being around others or even being in a relationship in this day in age. You see it seemingly everywhere you turn: social media, movies, tv shows, amongst peers, etc, and it has also been continuously engrained into our heads for as long as, I'm sure, most of us can remember. For our generation, you're not doing anything of importance unless it is with others. And, in a more broad sense, being in a relationship as opposed to being single seems to be of the utmost concern and basic goal. Too often you see girls and guys jumping in and out of different relationships without much of a second thought or break in between. This, in part, can be accredited to our society's continued expectations regarding the notion of being alone.

There seems to be this taboo in place in regards to spending time alone. It is often frowned upon and dreaded. People fear being single because of the implications behind it: independence, free time, and solitude. In another way, spending a Friday night in while watching Netflix alone is also feared and frequently avoided. Why has this become so widely accepted and in place?

There is beauty behind being alone. One cannot learn to be around others or to even be successful in a relationship without first knowing how to be alone. It is truly of great importance and it so often overlooked and avoided. You can learn so much about yourself, some things you would not be able to learn otherwise, just by spending time with just yourself. You learn what is important to you, what you love, where your favorite places are, what makes you happy, and seriously so much more.

In addition, you learn one important thing - if not the most important - how to love yourself. And, as cheesy as it may sound, that is an essential thing to learn how to do. Learning such a thing enables you to go through life, untouchable by the misfortunes that may arise. You are also untouchable by those who wish to bring you down or challenge who you are. You are resilient, because you love and respect who you are. You are ready for the obstacles that are to come.

And, only after learning how to love yourself can you learn to truly love others. That is why it is important to take a step back and spend that essential time alone before stepping out with others, whether it be with a group of friends or in a relationship. Although, for some, it may sound scary at first, it will benefit you greatly in the long run. So spend that Friday night in your living room watching your favorite show on Netflix. You will be surprised how liberating doing just that can feel. Take a drive alone. Go shopping alone and treat yourself to a new shirt. Do plenty of things alone and spend some time single, as well. Find happiness in being alone. It is important to know who you are, what you stand for, and how to make yourself happy before adding someone else in the mix.

Learn to bask in the glory of being alone. I promise you, the benefits are endless.

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

11 Things Summer Nannies Can Relate To

There are plenty of obstacles that come when taking care of kids, but it's a very rewarding experience.

367
11 Things Summer Nannies Can Relate To

As a college student, being a nanny over the summer is both enjoyable and challenging. Underneath the seemingly perfect trips to the pool or countless hours spent playing Monopoly are the obstacles that only nannies will understand. Trading in your valuable summer vacation in return for three months spent with a few children less than half your age may seem unappealing, but so many moments make it rewarding. For my fellow summer nannies out there, I know you can relate.

Keep Reading...Show less
girl

If it hurts now, it'll hurt again. Not because you're gullible or naive, only because you fall fast, hard, and you do it every time.

We fall each and every time with the complete and utter confidence that someone will be there to catch us. Now that person we SWORE we were never going to fall for has our hearts, and every time we see them our palms start sweating. The butterflies in our stomach start to soar and our hearts are entirely too close to bursting out of our chests.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

10 Things Only Equestrians Understand

Yes, it IS a sport. Yes, I fall all the time. No, I do not ride in jeans with a cowgirl hat on.

802
horses
Barn Pros

Growing up I have always wanted to own a horse. My grandparents own a well known equestrian facility in Georgia, so I have been riding since I was born. A bond between a person and their horse is a bond so strong that it cannot be broken. Everywhere I went I wanted to be around horses, even forcing my family to go on trail rides during vacations. Horses have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember has taught me great responsibility, as well as 14 things that all equestrians can relate to.

Keep Reading...Show less
man wearing white top using MacBook
Photo by Tim Gouw on Unsplash

College is super hard. Between working, studying, and having a social life, it feels like a struggle to just keep afloat.

I understand. When you feel like your drowning and there's no way to stay afloat I understand that it feels like everyone else is doing just fine. I understand all the frustration, long nights in the library, and that feeling that you want to just throw in the towel. I understand that sometimes it's too hard to get out of bed because your brain is already filled with too much information to remember. I understand because I am also feeling pretty burnt out.

Keep Reading...Show less
No Matter How Challenging School Gets, You Have To Put Your Health First — A Degree Won't Mean Anything If You're Dead
Photo by JESHOOTS.COM on Unsplash

Some of the best advice I've ever received was from my social studies teacher in sophomore year of high school. He stated, "If you don't know it at midnight, you're not going to know it for the 8 a.m. exam, so get some sleep."

It's such a simple piece of advice, but it holds so much accuracy and it's something that the majority of college students need to hear and listen to. "All-nighters" are a commonality on college campuses in order to cram in studying for an exam that is typically the next day.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments