Society tells us that it’s not okay to be alone, and that staying in, or spending time alone is wrong because it makes you “anti-social.” This is especially true in college. There’s an image of college that’s created to make it seem like collegiates have to be a part of a million clubs, have dozens of friends, and be on the go. But what I don’t understand is why people think it’s a bad thing to be alone. Why do people pity others that are alone?
Being sociable, whether it’s going on an adventure, going out, or just surrounding yourself with dozens of people, is supposed to give us this sense of “confidence” that we shouldn’t be searching for in others in the first place. I’m not saying that having a lot of friends is a bad thing, and finding a friend group during your college years is important, but not to the point where you feel uneasiness when you are alone. I guess people associate being left alone with being excluded by others, but whatever the reason is for your alone time, you shouldn’t fear it. You should love it. Being alone is different than being lonely.
Spending time alone can give yourself a sense of clarity in life that you can’t find in others. It’s something that you have to find on your own when you give yourself that time of solidarity. Being alone can truly make you more happy, more creative and less stressed. Spending your time alone can be an intimidating experience. A lot of people, myself included, can get lost in their thoughts, and at times this isn’t a pleasant experience. But getting submerged in your thoughts and feelings is an important growing and soul searching experience. How will you ever grow as a person if you don’t even listen to yourself?
I’ve personally spent a lot of time alone lately, and I’ve oddly never felt happier in my life. It’s given me the time to truly discover things about myself that I didn’t know before. So spend some time alone, find a hobby that you’ve always wanted to try, talk to yourself, pamper yourself! Being more in tune with yourself and your feelings when you’re alone will help you when you are in social situations. It’ll really help to build yourself as a confident person who is ready to go out and spend time with others. So take a moment to enjoy being with yourself, and love your time alone.