You wake up with an intense energy to go out and spend some time, so you text your friends to see if they can join you. uh-oh, everyone seems to be busy. What do you do? Do you cancel your plans and have a day in, or get up and enjoy your company?

Many people chose the first option; spending time alone is an art we need to practice. You might be alone, your peers might be busy, but you still have you!

Today, we will discuss how to start dealing with loneliness, maintaining your emotional health, and tips for healing on your own.

Let’s Begin By Understanding Loneliness

Have you ever felt a little off, even if you are in a crowded room? Or maybe feeling off even when surrounded by your friends?

Loneliness is not about being alone; it is about feeling alone. The emotional disconnection you feel of not being seen or heard, having no genuine bond to rely on.

You might be at the best party in the world, but when loneliness kicks in, even the best people or things feel overwhelming.

You are not alone; most people feel lonely in some part of their lives. Dealing with loneliness is a very taboo topic, as society pressures us to put ourselves more out there.

Your “Hey man, I’ve been feeling super disconnected lately” might be getting replied with “it’s nothing, just suck it up!“, that’s not cool.

Dealing with loneliness can be a lot, but with time, you can find solitude in yourself.

Why is it Hard To Spend Time With Yourself?

For many of us, the struggle to be on our own comes from our own deeper beliefs and experiences.

In my case, I never felt like myself throughout middle school because of how my then friends made me feel. They made fun of almost everything I did; I always felt like I had no one. This might be the case for many of you too, how we choose to feel lonely with people who don’t value us, just to not feel rejected.

Another reason is that it’s uncomfortable. When we sit by ourselves, everything we have been avoiding rushes back to our brains. The thought gets louder, and negative self-talk, insecurities, and painful memories all surface to the shore.

It can be painful, and our brains start finding a distraction to not get those feelings back.

It can also be boredom or putting others over your own needs. The good part? You don’t have to feel lonely; you can be alone, but you can shift your narrative by self-awareness.

What feels like loneliness today might just be your safe space tomorrow!

The Power of Spending Time with Yourself

Alone time, when embraced, can bring a lot of growth for you. Your brain can produce ideas, creativity, and a sense of calm if you make the space for it. Let’s talk more about how being in solitude helps with dealing with loneliness!

• You Feel Calm: Being alone offers peace; it gives you a space for reducing stress, decluttering negative thoughts, and providing a break from the outside world.
• Your Thoughts Feel Clear: When you are by yourself, you can resonate with your feelings better. The heat of the moment might have felt bad, but a calm, alone space gives you time to think about what was wrong and right. You can make better decisions and improve your focus.
• You Practice Mindfulness: Being alone encourages living in the moment; you become aware of your surroundings. It is a beautiful way to connect to your soul and body.
• You Feel Recharged: Being in solitude is a form of self-care; you feel mentally recharged and feel much more ready when going back to social settings.

Being alone can empower you, and give you a chance to reflect and connect to yourself more

How to Start Enjoying Your Own Company?

Just like how Marilyn Monroe said, “I restore myself when I’m alone,” you can too. It is an art we all need to practice for ourselves. A beautiful form of self-care, why not take full advantage of being alone? Here, we have curated 6 practical ways you can turn being lonely into thriving and growing!

Start by Sitting in Silence

This might seem crazy, but it’s not when you start doing it often! Set aside a few minutes of your day to be in silence. This helps in calming your mind, giving you space to declutter negative thoughts. You don’t have to start by putting long hours aside; even 5 minutes a day can feel better over time. Dealing with loneliness doesn’t have to be awful!

Find Hobbies

No, scrolling through your phone isn’t a hobby! Explore hobbies you can do alone; it can be anything like painting, reading, coloring, photography, or being in nature. Finding hobbies that you can do by yourself helps you become productive and make space for personal growth.
I started coloring as a hobby a few months back when I was dealing with loneliness, and whenever I color through the pages, I reconnect with my inner child and feel much better after my session.
If I can find a self-time hobby that makes me happy, so can you! It’s just around the corner, waiting for you to notice it.

Go To a Cafe

Dealing with loneliness comes with different challenges, and sometimes those challenges can be as fun as getting a matcha nearby!
Challenge yourself to go to a cafe, museum, park, or movie alone.
If you are thinking that going to the movies alone might be weird, trust me! It’s not. To practice spending time by myself, I have gone to the movies by myself and enjoyed every bit of it. P.S.: No popcorn sharing!

Practice Self Love

The world might seem to shut down when you are alone, but your inner voice seems to get louder. Be kind to yourself, and practice positive self-talk. Many people have a fear of judgment; they often find themselves dwelling in an environment they don’t want to just not to be lonely. Dealing with loneliness comes with practicing self-love and healing. Stop judging yourself, and treat yourself like how you treat someone you love. This practice might seem uncomfortable and new in the beginning, but with time, you build self-confidence and emotional resilience.

Shift Your Mindset

As we point out to society how it is cruel to the alone-time spenders, we need to remind ourselves that we are the society and we are also part of the problem! So, let’s start with us. Shift your mindset from seeing self-time as awkward and not cool. Start with showing yourself compassion. Read affirmations, and romanticize the joy of being with yourself.

Conclusion

Well, this was your calling to deal with loneliness. Know that you are not alone, and many people like you feel the same kind of loneliness as you. Reach out to “alone but not lonely” types of groups, and get inspired and inspire others for self-time.
Dealing with loneliness can be hard, but with consistency, it gets easier. For me, it has been amazing with my coloring and self-dates. I do love to go out with my loved ones, but the time I spend with myself is equally as precious. Dealing with loneliness can be easy if you let it be! Start spending time with yourself; you might be alone, but never lonely!