The Benefits of Being Alone
Introduction
While it’s enjoyable to be with others and share experiences, there are definite benefits to spending time alone. Of course, being connected to people is important for your happiness and well-being, but it’s also critical to balance social time with time spent alone. It’s important to use this time to think about your feelings, ideas, hopes, problems and all of your experiences. This time spent alone creates space for you to come up with your own perspectives and ideas and how you think and feel about the things that are happening in your life and relationships. Read on to learn more about how spending time alone actually makes your life more enjoyable and positive.
Alone Means Alone
Before diving into the many benefits of spending time alone, let’s think about what “alone” means. Alone means that you are physically by yourself but it also means that you aren’t virtually connected to anyone (this includes social media, texting, e-mail, or any other way you might communicate). The real benefits of being alone come when you are truly disconnected, physically and technologically. This gives you a chance to use your imagination, daydream and learn about your thoughts and feelings.
Know Yourself
One of the greatest benefits of spending time alone is how it helps you develop a better understanding of who you are. The more you know and understand yourself the more likely you are to do things that you love, learn things that interest you and spend time with people who make you feel good. Knowing yourself also builds confidence to help you navigate all types of situations. The more you get to know yourself the more you’ll like and accept yourself. When you know and like you, others are more inclined to like you too!
Come Up With Solutions
Having a problem in your life? Of course it’s helpful to get advice from friends or family, but it’s also important to develop your own thoughts and solutions to problems. Being alone limits distractions and helps you think up your own answers.
No Judgment
When you are alone you are free to try things that you might feel uncomfortable trying for the first time in front of other people. Being alone leaves you free of judgment! Dance, sing, play an instrument, do magic, play cards (well, at least solitaire), or build something – you can try new things without being nervous what others might think.
Imagine
Another thing you can do alone and without judgment is let your imagination go wild! Do you have a crazy idea about a piece of art or an invention? You can test things out, try and fail and try again, when you are by yourself and when others aren’t there to influence you.
Reboot
If we spend most of our time with other people we always have to be “on”. Time spent alone is a great way to recharge and slow down for a bit. This also makes being with others more enjoyable since we’ve had time to rest and can be more relaxed. You’ll feel better when you’ve had time to reboot and people will probably find you more fun and nice to be around too.
Limit Distractions
Plain and simple – you get more done when you are alone. Do you have a lot of things on your plate? When you limit distractions you can, more easily, check things off of your to-do list. When you get your important personal responsibilities accomplished alone you have more attention to give during group assignments and tasks. You will be more present with others if you have spent some time alone getting things done.