Not everyone likes spending time alone, but spending time alone can be a great way to relax, improve, or solve problems. If you're having a hard time spending time alone, finding ways to make the most of your alone time may help you to enjoy that time more. While alone time is healthy for the soul, remember that spending too much time alone can make you feel lonely. So you should ask for help if you're feeling depressed or anxious about spending too much time alone.
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Method 1 of 2: Make the Most of Alone Time
Step 1. Make a plan for spending time alone
Sometimes spending time alone is necessary because plans may not go well or there is nothing to do, but it's a good idea to make plans to spend some alone time every now and then. Try to take 30 minutes a day to be alone and do something you want to do. At first you may find it awkward to make plans to spend some time alone, but over time, it will get easier and you may start to look forward to it.
- Try to set aside a certain amount of time to spend alone time. For example, you may decide to spend some time alone from 5:30 to 18:00 each day.
- Also decide what you want to do while spending time alone. If you're not sure what to do, you can start with simple activities like taking a walk around the house or going to a coffee shop alone to read a book.
Step 2. Choose activities that you can enjoy while spending time alone
To make your alone time more enjoyable, make a plan to do something you want to do. Alone time is a great way to do hobbies and analyze yourself better, so think carefully about what you want to do when you're alone.
- Try to find a new hobby such as sports or making crafts that you have always wanted to explore or do. Some sports that you can do when you are alone include running, cycling, surfing, swimming, and dancing. While hobbies that you can do are knitting, cooking cakes, sewing, arranging planes, writing, reading, and making scrap books.
- Consider filling your alone time with a time-consuming project like knitting a scarf or learning to surf. That way, you can use your alone time to do the project and when you have finished it, you will feel satisfied with the achievement.
Step 3. Take care of yourself
Pampering yourself is tough when you have lots of people around you, but alone time can provide an opportunity to pamper yourself and take care of other personal needs. Try to use alone time to do the things you want to do for yourself.
For example, you can use alone time to fulfill personal needs such as taking a shower, getting your hair done, or having a manicure
Step 4. Learn something new about yourself
When you're alone, you can focus more on the things you want to do without being interrupted or interrupted by others. Try to use alone time to get to know yourself better.
For example, you could start a journal and write down your thoughts and feelings when you spend time alone. You can also try listening to a new genre of music, find a new hobby, or set a new goal that you want to achieve
Step 5. Relax during alone time
Being with other people all the time can be stressful and consume a lot of energy. Spending time alone each day can reenergize your body and mind.
To relax when alone, you can try meditation, yoga, tai chi, or deep breathing exercises
Step 6. Solve the problem you have been facing so far
When you spend time with other people, you may not be able to focus enough on solving difficult problems. Taking time to spend alone each day allows you to pass the time lost in thought and thinking about solutions to problems you've been dealing with. Try taking some alone time to sit down and reflect on the problem you've been trying to solve.
For example, you may be dealing with a serious personal issue that requires time to think about it. Or in the near future you may be facing a challenging project at work or school that you need to think about carefully
Method 2 of 2: Spending Healthy Alone Time
Step 1. Find people when you need to talk, instead of being active on social media
It may be tempting to be active on social media when you're feeling lonely, but it's best if you call someone or talk to someone face-to-face when you need social interaction. Social media may seem like a substitute for good human interaction, but it can actually exacerbate feelings of isolation.
If you want to talk to someone, call a friend or go to a place where you can talk to people
Step 2. Watch television as necessary
If you're having trouble walking around or making friends, you might try to find a substitute for human interaction, such as watching television. However, watching television when you're feeling lonely, instead of spending time with people, will only make things worse.
Try to limit your television viewing time to an hour or two per day and don't use it as a substitute for human interaction
Step 3. Limit alcohol consumption when you are alone
It's okay to drink alone once in a while, but using alcohol to deal with loneliness can be a big problem. You shouldn't drink or use other substances so you can deal with alone time.
If you rely on alcohol (or drugs) to deal with loneliness, you should seek help from a mental health professional
Step 4. Learn the difference between being alone and being lonely
Alone and loneliness are two different things. Being alone means that no one is around you, while loneliness means that you feel sad and/or anxious because you want to interact with other people.
- As long as you're spending time alone, you should feel happy and comfortable. If you are lonely, you may feel depressed, hopeless, and isolated.
- If you're feeling lonely because you've spent too much time alone, you may need to see a therapist to discuss those feelings.
Step 5. Remember that it's natural to be afraid of feeling lonely
It may be helpful to remember that it's natural to be afraid to spend time alone. Everyone wants human contact, so spending time alone may not always seem like a pleasant thing to do. That's why it's important to balance solitude and appropriate interaction.
Remember that it's natural to feel afraid to spend time alone, but it's not healthy to avoid it all the time. If you're very afraid of spending time alone, see a therapist to discuss ways you can overcome your fear
Step 6. Build healthy relationships and let go of unhealthy relationships
While it's important to maintain good relationships, you shouldn't forget to let go of relationships that are unhealthy or that make you unhappy. Some people stay in unhealthy relationships for fear of feeling alone, but staying in those relationships only makes the situation worse, not better.
- If you're in a relationship that makes you feel unhappy, but you're afraid to end it because you don't want to be alone, talk to someone who can help. Arrange a meeting with a trusted friend, clergyman, or counselor to discuss your situation.
- Make sure you expand and maintain your support network. Part of being alone is having a strong support network of friends and family who can help you when needed. Look for ways to make new friends and keep in touch with existing ones such as taking a class at your local gym, going to a coffee shop together, or joining a particular hobby group in your neighborhood.
