How to Enjoy Being Alone
Learn to embrace being alone., Be happy., Do everything you would normally do with a partner or friend., Write., Read., Listen to lots of music., Sing., Draw., Learn something new., Consider learning in areas you've never ventured before., Think...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Learn to embrace being alone.
Solitude is a time for reflection, for thinking about things more deeply.
In a world increasingly focused on speed and competitiveness, solitude is precious and something to be treasured. -
Step 2: Be happy.
Live a life of optimism.
Happiness comes from within, regardless of your situation.
Don’t use being alone as an excuse for not enjoying your life; make something good from it. , Many times it isn't the partner or friend you are missing, but the activities and hobbies you shared.
Take yourself out for a date.
For example, if you would have gone out to dinner or to a movie on a date, then take yourself out to a movie or to a nice restaurant.
Don't hold yourself back. , Write a story or two.
This not only increases your imagination, but also keeps you happy.
This highly increases your optimism.
You can also write some poetry. , Time spent alone is good time to catch up on some of your reading.
Not only is it fun and enjoyable, but it's also self-education and a way to round yourself as a person.
Consider spending some time with classics such as "Moby Dick," "A Christmas Carol," "Romeo and Juliet," "The Martian Chronicles," "Great Expectations," or "Tales of Mystery and Imagination." Or choose a genre to explore:
Sci-Fi greats include "Stranger In a Strange Land," "Fahrenheit 451," and the "Dune" series.
Horror: "Salem's Lot," "The Stand," and "Dracula." Fantasy: "Lord of the Rings," "Chronicles of Narnia," and "Harry Potter." Or just regular fiction: "East of Eden," "To Kill a Mockingbird," or "A Farewell to Arms." Poetry is cool, too, and nothing makes you look cooler than when someone says, "Oh my God, you actually know that by heart?" Great poetry: "Charge of the Light Brigade," "Ulysses," "She Walks In Beauty," "How Do I Love Thee," and Shakespeare's Sonnets
- #29 is great! You also have the opportunity to check out some playwrights such as; Edward Albee, David Mamet, Neil Simon and Tennessee Williams.
Each playwright incorporates an interesting view and characters whose lives are constantly being turned on their heads. , If you are a music fan then you can enjoy being alone by listening to music you enjoy or music that brings back memories of certain events.
Listening to natural sounds like the sound of the thunder and rain, chirping birds, flowing rivers and such more sounds helps you clear your mind.
It helps in relaxing and de-stressing, thus, leaves you happier and more calm when you are alone. , Or, if you don't like singing, try dance.
It really helps as you get engaged in something and research shows that exercising or dancing releases the bad emotions in person.
Plus, if you think you are not a good dancer or singer, you are wrong since you aren't doing this for anyone else, it's for yourself, so just let go! , Drawing is a fun and effective activity to be tried during one's leisure time.
You do not have to be a Picasso to draw but can continue painting and drawing as you wish.
It helps to relax, portray your feelings and de-stress.
You can see the result at the end after being satisfied with your own drawing! , Learning is the most important aspect of living alone.
It helps to keep the boogeyman away, and also gives you something to talk about when you do have to actually enter society.
Learning is also incredibly more efficient when you don't have social responsibilities like family to take care of, or a girlfriend or boyfriend to entertain.
Learning isn't just exclusive to books (although they are a great source of knowledge).
You can learn to do anything by just practicing.
Enrolling in classes is fun and also helps with the social life
- you will meet new people in your classes.
If you're not so much into the meeting people, the Internet is a great way to learn pretty much everything (That's what this site's for!). , This might include:
Indoor activities, a foreign language, painting, yoga, mathematics, science, art appreciation, a musical instrument such as piano or flute.
Outdoor activities:
Gardening, fencing, tennis, golf.
Or a combination:
Meaning, things you can do indoors and out, such as photography or drawing. , Reflect on life and greater meanings; be introspective.
Contemplate or ponder things.
Above all, contemplation is one of the most important self-building things you can do.
Think about what makes you you.
What do you believe in? Why? Are there any things that don't seem right to you? What do you believe at face value (or accept as a matter of faith)? , This is a great way to improve your thinking and reasoning skills.
It will give you interesting topics that will stretch and bend your brain to help you understand your view of reality.
Keep in mind that just because someone believes in something it doesn't mean you have to if you don't like it.
Philosophers:
Socrates, Plato, Nietzsche, Descartes, Aristotle, Kant, Rand, Marx , It is easy to read-into experiences, feelings, thoughts, and attitudes of others and make judgements that are really founded on nothing more than your own naive perception.
This can quickly become a negative activity and get you down.
Realize that you don't have all the facts and that's just fine. , Humans need affection, without it there is a risk of becoming bitter and hating the world around you.
Pets are often a source of affection and will give loads of it endlessly.
Pets also provide someone to talk to.
No, it's not weird that you talk to your pet, it's weird if you don't.
Just be cautious that your pet doesn't talk back (unless if it is one of the few types of birds that can do so).
If so, seek professional help.
If you are aloof and self-sufficient, tropical fish, hamsters, budgies or finches are great choices.
If you like a little interaction, but not a lot of maintenance, try a cat.
If you want to be very hands-on, spend lots of time and get lots of feedback, a dog is for you.
Getting a pet doesn't mean getting a dog or cat right away.
Often, if you are unprepared to deal with this level of responsibility, the experience will be terrible for both you and the animal.
Don't be fooled into thinking a smaller animal like a rabbit or bird won't need lots of care
- a rabbit needs daily human contact and several hours of time to run about a day, not to mention cleaning it out.
Fully research any animal you are considering as a pet then go to your local animal shelter, there are hundreds of lovely animals there just waiting for a home! Some animal shelters will let you 'foster' a pet, which gives the animal a much needed break from the confines of the shelter and gives you the companionship you crave with-out a long-term commitment. , Join forums or chat rooms to meet new people also.
Take whatever you're interested in and find other people like you. , Now is the time to get that body you've always wanted.
Instead of just pigging out on junk food and sitting in front of the TV all night, do some push-ups or sit-ups.
Rediscover the fun to be had in simple exercises.
Riding a bike around your neighborhood becomes less work and more fun as you do it.
Be consistent.
Exercise takes willpower and diligence.
Make a schedule and stick to it.
Keep it easy at first and you will discover your limits.
Or, join a gym and create new friends there. , It's a big world out there, and you're only seeing a small fraction of it.
Forget the people, just enjoy what life has to offer.
Once you do that, then people will want to know and be with you.
Frankly, you won't have a choice but to have friends! , Do some charity work as it can make you feel good about yourself and gives you something to do in all your free time. -
Step 3: Do everything you would normally do with a partner or friend.
-
Step 4: Write.
-
Step 5: Listen to lots of music.
-
Step 6: Learn something new.
-
Step 7: Consider learning in areas you've never ventured before.
-
Step 8: Think.
-
Step 9: Take up reading philosophy.
-
Step 10: Don't over-analyse things independent of you.
-
Step 11: Get a pet.
-
Step 12: Join an online community.Don't limit your online activities to just games.
-
Step 13: Exercise.
-
Step 14: Go outside.
-
Step 15: Get involved.
Detailed Guide
Solitude is a time for reflection, for thinking about things more deeply.
In a world increasingly focused on speed and competitiveness, solitude is precious and something to be treasured.
Live a life of optimism.
Happiness comes from within, regardless of your situation.
Don’t use being alone as an excuse for not enjoying your life; make something good from it. , Many times it isn't the partner or friend you are missing, but the activities and hobbies you shared.
Take yourself out for a date.
For example, if you would have gone out to dinner or to a movie on a date, then take yourself out to a movie or to a nice restaurant.
Don't hold yourself back. , Write a story or two.
This not only increases your imagination, but also keeps you happy.
This highly increases your optimism.
You can also write some poetry. , Time spent alone is good time to catch up on some of your reading.
Not only is it fun and enjoyable, but it's also self-education and a way to round yourself as a person.
Consider spending some time with classics such as "Moby Dick," "A Christmas Carol," "Romeo and Juliet," "The Martian Chronicles," "Great Expectations," or "Tales of Mystery and Imagination." Or choose a genre to explore:
Sci-Fi greats include "Stranger In a Strange Land," "Fahrenheit 451," and the "Dune" series.
Horror: "Salem's Lot," "The Stand," and "Dracula." Fantasy: "Lord of the Rings," "Chronicles of Narnia," and "Harry Potter." Or just regular fiction: "East of Eden," "To Kill a Mockingbird," or "A Farewell to Arms." Poetry is cool, too, and nothing makes you look cooler than when someone says, "Oh my God, you actually know that by heart?" Great poetry: "Charge of the Light Brigade," "Ulysses," "She Walks In Beauty," "How Do I Love Thee," and Shakespeare's Sonnets
- #29 is great! You also have the opportunity to check out some playwrights such as; Edward Albee, David Mamet, Neil Simon and Tennessee Williams.
Each playwright incorporates an interesting view and characters whose lives are constantly being turned on their heads. , If you are a music fan then you can enjoy being alone by listening to music you enjoy or music that brings back memories of certain events.
Listening to natural sounds like the sound of the thunder and rain, chirping birds, flowing rivers and such more sounds helps you clear your mind.
It helps in relaxing and de-stressing, thus, leaves you happier and more calm when you are alone. , Or, if you don't like singing, try dance.
It really helps as you get engaged in something and research shows that exercising or dancing releases the bad emotions in person.
Plus, if you think you are not a good dancer or singer, you are wrong since you aren't doing this for anyone else, it's for yourself, so just let go! , Drawing is a fun and effective activity to be tried during one's leisure time.
You do not have to be a Picasso to draw but can continue painting and drawing as you wish.
It helps to relax, portray your feelings and de-stress.
You can see the result at the end after being satisfied with your own drawing! , Learning is the most important aspect of living alone.
It helps to keep the boogeyman away, and also gives you something to talk about when you do have to actually enter society.
Learning is also incredibly more efficient when you don't have social responsibilities like family to take care of, or a girlfriend or boyfriend to entertain.
Learning isn't just exclusive to books (although they are a great source of knowledge).
You can learn to do anything by just practicing.
Enrolling in classes is fun and also helps with the social life
- you will meet new people in your classes.
If you're not so much into the meeting people, the Internet is a great way to learn pretty much everything (That's what this site's for!). , This might include:
Indoor activities, a foreign language, painting, yoga, mathematics, science, art appreciation, a musical instrument such as piano or flute.
Outdoor activities:
Gardening, fencing, tennis, golf.
Or a combination:
Meaning, things you can do indoors and out, such as photography or drawing. , Reflect on life and greater meanings; be introspective.
Contemplate or ponder things.
Above all, contemplation is one of the most important self-building things you can do.
Think about what makes you you.
What do you believe in? Why? Are there any things that don't seem right to you? What do you believe at face value (or accept as a matter of faith)? , This is a great way to improve your thinking and reasoning skills.
It will give you interesting topics that will stretch and bend your brain to help you understand your view of reality.
Keep in mind that just because someone believes in something it doesn't mean you have to if you don't like it.
Philosophers:
Socrates, Plato, Nietzsche, Descartes, Aristotle, Kant, Rand, Marx , It is easy to read-into experiences, feelings, thoughts, and attitudes of others and make judgements that are really founded on nothing more than your own naive perception.
This can quickly become a negative activity and get you down.
Realize that you don't have all the facts and that's just fine. , Humans need affection, without it there is a risk of becoming bitter and hating the world around you.
Pets are often a source of affection and will give loads of it endlessly.
Pets also provide someone to talk to.
No, it's not weird that you talk to your pet, it's weird if you don't.
Just be cautious that your pet doesn't talk back (unless if it is one of the few types of birds that can do so).
If so, seek professional help.
If you are aloof and self-sufficient, tropical fish, hamsters, budgies or finches are great choices.
If you like a little interaction, but not a lot of maintenance, try a cat.
If you want to be very hands-on, spend lots of time and get lots of feedback, a dog is for you.
Getting a pet doesn't mean getting a dog or cat right away.
Often, if you are unprepared to deal with this level of responsibility, the experience will be terrible for both you and the animal.
Don't be fooled into thinking a smaller animal like a rabbit or bird won't need lots of care
- a rabbit needs daily human contact and several hours of time to run about a day, not to mention cleaning it out.
Fully research any animal you are considering as a pet then go to your local animal shelter, there are hundreds of lovely animals there just waiting for a home! Some animal shelters will let you 'foster' a pet, which gives the animal a much needed break from the confines of the shelter and gives you the companionship you crave with-out a long-term commitment. , Join forums or chat rooms to meet new people also.
Take whatever you're interested in and find other people like you. , Now is the time to get that body you've always wanted.
Instead of just pigging out on junk food and sitting in front of the TV all night, do some push-ups or sit-ups.
Rediscover the fun to be had in simple exercises.
Riding a bike around your neighborhood becomes less work and more fun as you do it.
Be consistent.
Exercise takes willpower and diligence.
Make a schedule and stick to it.
Keep it easy at first and you will discover your limits.
Or, join a gym and create new friends there. , It's a big world out there, and you're only seeing a small fraction of it.
Forget the people, just enjoy what life has to offer.
Once you do that, then people will want to know and be with you.
Frankly, you won't have a choice but to have friends! , Do some charity work as it can make you feel good about yourself and gives you something to do in all your free time.
About the Author
Jean Moore
Specializes in breaking down complex home improvement topics into simple steps.
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