Being alone is strangely one of those things you have to learn to be good it. Introverts may naturally be more drawn to solitude but if you’re a people person, you like to surround yourself with company when you can and often times, for the sake of avoiding loneliness. It can be uncomfortable, especially in public settings when you feel like all eyes are on you. But being alone doesn’t necessarily have to equal lonely and like anything else, it just requires some getting used to. After some time, you may even start to love it.
Not only do you become more independent by learning how to be by yourself, but it also comes with a sense of self-awareness and down the line, security. What others think becomes less important when you grow comfortable with doing things alone. It’s just a matter of practice and eventually you’ll get to number five on this list, no problem. See five things you should try and get good at doing by yourself, in order of the easiest to hardest.
1. Go to the movies alone.
This one isn’t too difficult because most people don’t have a problem watching a movie at home alone. It’s not much different when your living room becomes the theater, and it’s not like you’d talk to your friend during the film anyway (unless you’re one of those people). The best part is that you don’t have to wait for anyone else to see new releases and you have the popcorn all to yourself.
2. Eat out alone.
Treat yourself to a nice little brunch, lunch, or dinner. People watching is great and being able to eat a meal alone allows you to really enjoy the food. You don’t have any conversations to distract you and most importantly, you don’t have to share with anybody else. Once you have your favorite dishes in front of you, you’ll wonder why you don’t do this more often.
3. Do what you’re interested in alone.
If there’s a museum exhibit you’re really excited about and no one’s available to go with you, go by yourself. You’ll be able to appreciate the activity to the fullest and will probably enjoy it just as much, if not more. You don’t need someone to join you to be able to do things you want to do.
4. Be alone with your thoughts.
This could be a scary one but self-reflection is key to any level of self-improvement. It’s important to touch base with yourself every once in a while to address any concerns or needs you may have. As a result, you’ll feel more in tune with yourself and live a more fulfilling life. Not a lot people like to face their problems head on, but you’re also not benefiting yourself by avoiding them. Try hanging out in your room without music or TV to distract you, and just think. You’ll learn a lot about who you are with this practice.
5. Travel alone.
Solo travel is the ultimate goal here. If you’ve reached a level of normalcy with the four previous suggestions, exploring a new part of town or even a new country will be a breeze. By now, you’ll have gained the necessary tools to feel comfortable not only by yourself, but with yourself. Traveling alone is such an empowering experience and you’ll return with a fresh perspective, guaranteed.
