I am an avid believer in the idea that alone time is the best time whether you’re going out or staying in. That philosophy supports and explains my introverted tendencies. However, this is not only a by-product of people being occasionally terrifying and incomprehensible creatures. It often boils down to being more convenient and generally better for me.

How many times have you made plans with someone only to have them cancel at the last minute? Have you ever really wanted to go somewhere or do something and back out because you couldn’t find an adventure buddy? Well, dear reader, the solution is simple. Take advice from reputable sources such as Nike, Shia Labeouf, and myself and just do it! Don’t get me wrong, I adore hanging out with my friends and meeting new people. There are also times when it’s safer to have someone else with you. Nonetheless, if there is something you want to do and having someone to do it with is the only thing holding you back, do it anyway! Once you’re there, you can usually find someone you already know or make a new friend to keep you company if only for the duration of the event. I would have missed out on so many great things if I had decided to stay home instead of sucking it up and getting myself out there. Life is too short to not go see that band you love but all your friends hate. You don’t need a date or the hassle of coordinating via the group chat to hit up your favourite sushi joint. If eating in a restaurant by yourself is too ~extreme~ for you, get it to go. The best part about being out on your own is that you don’t have to keep track of another person and if the vibe isn’t working for you, you can leave. Just like that. Don’t settle for having a bad time, change the situation.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, feel free to stay in and take time to unwind and relax in your own company. Sometimes, taking a mental break involves cancelling plans that you had made previously and that’s okay! They say that you won’t remember the times you got a full night of sleep, but I’ll tell you that being well rested is widely unappreciated. We get so caught up in working our butts off, pulling all-nighters for our classes, and going to parties that it can be easy to forget to slow everything down and simply enjoy an evening of quiet and calm. There won’t always be someone there to comfort or guide us in our lives and the sooner we can learn to be alone without being lonely, the better. It won’t happen overnight – when does anything happen that way – but it will happen. All you need to do is give yourself some scheduled alone time and possibly redefine your comfort zone. Next time you hear of something cool happening, invite people you think would have a good time, but commit yourself to going even if no one else is available. You may be surprised by how freeing it is.