7 Reasons We Should Learn To Enjoy Our Own Company
Let us first establish a fact:
Being alone is not the same as being lonely
Being alone is a voluntary act, where you detach yourself from the physical world, for a short duration, in order to spend some quality time with yourself. There are definitely some of us that simply don’t like to be alone. We feel like need to be around people all the time, to stay updated with the world and to keep ourselves occupied. With the emergence of social media, we now enjoy the company of others 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in the comforts of our own home. It’s like a party all day, every day. The thought of logging off can cause some of us a great deal of anxiety.
Shutting down has its benefits too. We get so wrapped up in tweeting, updating and hanging out with our friends that we tend to forget who we are. So, who are you, really? Can you enjoy your own company?
Here are 8 reasons why you should try hanging out with yourself for a change.
1.Explore your creative side.
When you are alone, you will have the time to nurture and grow your creative side. Maybe you like to do oil painting, read, play piano, write but haven’t had the chance, or time, to do so because you’re never alone. Take time to delve into the artistic side of you. It just may turn out that you are better at it than you think!
2.Quiet your mind.
In all the hustle and bustle around us, it is easy to pick up the negative energy and stress from others around us. When you take time to be by yourself, you will have the chance to do a brain detox. Get rid of the toxins from the day and just be with you and your thoughts. Free your mind.
3.Have a dinner date night.
This isn’t easy for everybody to do, going out to dinner alone, but try it. While you’re out, take the time to look around and observe others. By doing so, you can learn a lot about the behaviours of others and yourself. Do you see yourself in any of these people? Do you want to? You’ll just realise that treating yourself is much more satisfying than you expected.
4.Road trip anyone?
When was the last time you took a road trip or went backpacking by yourself? Windows rolled down, music blaring, singing to the steering wheel, GPS in off mode. It’s extremely liberating. You can make little pit stops along the way and feed your adventurous side. You may even make new friends along the way.
5.Respect, admiration, adoration.
People who can enjoy their own company usually gain more respect from others. An admiration, if you will. We are in awe of them because they are truly happy in their own skin, and being with their own company is something they clearly enjoy. Something that so many of us strive for. They exude self-confidence and self-respect. Who wouldn’t want more of that?
- Digital Detox
Relax. Turn off the phones, turn off the computer, TV and put some relaxing music on and just chill out. Take this time to meditate, journal or read a book. This is your time with you. Embrace you and enjoy it.
7.Face fears head on.
This may seem rather odd, but yes, you can face your fears better when you are alone and learn to appreciate and enjoy you because of it. Many of us need a friend or partner to help us face any sort of fear, but when we are forced to do it alone, we realize how brave and courageous we really are. Just knowing that you were able to do this by yourself is good enough reason to start trusting yourself more.
If life and work demands get in the way of your alone time, try scheduling it on the calendar like you would a doctor’s appointment and stick to it. You are as equally important as your loved ones. Love yourself first.