Why Being Alone Is A Good Thing | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

Why Being Alone Is A Good Thing

Being alone is healthy, despite what society tells you.

803
Why Being Alone Is A Good Thing
Lee Scott

I'll be honest with you: Up until about six months ago, being alone was probably one of the few things I was most afraid of. Maybe it was the complete sense of isolation, boredom, and knowing it was just me and my thoughts. Looking back, I genuinely think this fear stemmed from the classic lack of confidence and constant insecurity always looming over my head, just to name a few. It wasn't until a wise friend of mine told me during one of my freshman-year breakdowns at college that being alone is actually a good thing. They told me that eventually I would learn that being alone is healthy, and constantly needing attention wasn't. And as much as I hate to admit it, they were right.

This didn't come naturally, obviously. I am not one who "works the crowd" or automatically gets everyone's attention just by walking into a room; I would much rather stand on the side and not be the center of attention. I am comfortable this way, for better or for worse. Having fewer friends that really care about me, rather than the stereotypical large amount of acquaintances that don't really know much about me, has definitely made me feel lonely at times. But the most important lesson I learned out of all of this was that it's OK to feel lonely; it's just that no one really talks about it.

There is a distinction to be made, though, between actually being alone and feeling lonely. Being alone means that you are physically alone with no other people around, and feeling lonely is an emotional sense of isolation that is painful and negative. You can still be lonely and alone; loneliness is a feeling, not a physical state.

By being alone, I don't mean watching Netflix alone in your room. I mean actuallybeing alone with your thoughts, and just your thoughts. You don't have to worry about what anyone else is doing or what they're not doing, all you have to do is worry about yourself. And wouldn't that be nice for a change? To do the things you have always wanted to do, but instead of dragging other people along, doing it by yourself?

I am not here to tell you how to be OK with being alone, or if you will ever really be OK with being alone. All I can say is that learning how to be alone was one of the best things I ever did for myself, even if that meant feeling lonely sometimes. You don't need constant simulation, despite what society tells you, and that's all there really is to it.

Go have a cup of coffee and read a book alone, go to a movie alone, or even go out to eat alone -- you would be amazed at how not lonely it really is.

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

18 Things I Want To Do Now That I'm 18

I'm technically an adult, so I'm legally required to live a little, right?

202
Happy Birthday Cake

For the entirety of my high school career, I was always seen as the goody-two-shoes. I never got in trouble with a teacher, I kept stellar grades, and when I wasn't doing extracurricular activities, I was at home studying. Even when I did go out, it was usually with a bunch of fellow band geeks. The night would end before 11:00 PM and the only controversial activity would be a fight based on who unfairly won a round of Apples-to-Apples when someone else clearly had a better card (I promise I'm not still holding a grudge).

Now that I'm officially an adult, I want to pursue some new things. I want to experience life in a way that I never allowed myself to do prior to entering college. These are the years that I'm supposed to embark on a journey of self-discovery, so what better way to do that than to create a bucket list?

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics

The holiday classics that shaped my life

88
10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics
Flickr

The holiday season is full of stress, debt, and forced conversation. While we rush through the month of December, it's important to take a step back and enjoy the moments before they're gone. Most families love to watch Christmas movies, but these beloved films provide more than entertainment. Here are 10 life lessons that I've learned from the holiday classics we watch every year.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

198845
 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

20060
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

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments