I am writing this post from my little hometown at my parents’ house, surrounded by loved ones who’ve come together to celebrate Diwali (the festival of lights in my country, India).
I’ve spent the last three days frolicking around town with my cousins and tasting various cuisines.
I thought I’d like to take a break from work until I got back, but to my surprise, I found myself retreating to a quiet room with my laptop, a cup of hot green tea, and a cozy romance novel.
This might not mean like a big deal, but being able to choose solitude over company is a huge achievement for a girl who was once afraid to be alone in her thoughts for even a minute.
I am realizing just now how far I’ve come in my growth journey.
Looking back, I can spot the exact steps, habits, and decisions that helped me become more grounded and fall in love with my own company.
And in this post, I want to share everything that helped me in my journey to embracing solitude and blooming in my own company.
But first, pin this post for safekeeping!
This post is for my lovely readers who want to learn how to enjoy being alone and embrace their own company instead of running from it.
I know it can be hard to be alone, but with good intentions and the right mindset, loneliness can be turned into blissful solitude.
And this post will tell you how to do just that.
Let’s dive in.
9 Ways To Be Happy Alone And Enjoy Your Own Company
1. Set The Mood Before Sitting Down For Your Me-Time
One of the reasons people struggle to like their own company is that they don’t put any effort into romanticizing their me-time.
Take me for an example. I hated the idea of journaling because I always pictured myself journaling at my work desk with a blue pen in a plain dated journal.
A friend inspired me to loosen up a bit and spend money on a pack of glittering pens, cute stationery, and some quality journals. Journaling is now one of my favorite activities!
Before sitting down for your me-time, spend some time making your space comfortable, inviting, and clutter-free.
Make yourself some tea or coffee, pick a feel-good snack, light a scented candle, and turn on some warm lights. A throw blanket will be perfect to set a cozy tone.
This is my usual go-to setup for reading, meditation, and even journaling. Makes it easy to tap into my inner self and tune out the rest of the world.
2. Seek Solitude Even When You’re Surrounded By People
Loneliness turns into blissful solitude the moment you start seeking your own company even when you’re surrounded by a dozen people.
This doesn’t mean being recluse or aloof. It’s just you giving equal importance to both yourself and the people in your life.
If you’re on a vacation with your besties, have fun with them during the day, and then be mindful about retreating for an hour or two to enjoy the destination on your own.
Basically, after spending a few hours in other people’s company, choose to spend time with yourself, and do it without any guilt.
Self-care is never selfish; it’s a necessity, and it’s okay to say no to plans in favor of spending time with yourself.
Recommended post: 8 Golden Habits Of Happy Women That You’ll Love
3. Disconnect From Technology
Instagram and Netflix might seem like your BFFs during the lone hours, but they don’t help you build meaningful connections with yourself.
I keep getting asked to join Insta, and I know I will have to do it someday to start building connections, but for now, staying in the real world at all times is more appealing to me.
I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve lost a friend’s attention because they’ve been scrolling through their feeds.
Technology is amazing, no doubt, but it creates a disconnect between you and real the world around you. That’s why you should take regular breaks from technology.
Turn off your phone or limit your time on social media to reduce external distractions and focus on being present in the moment.
It might be jarring at first – not knowing what to do besides touch your phone in your free time, but unless we declutter our time, how will we ever discover the kind of activities that our soul thrives on?
4. Indulge In Hobbies That Make You Happy
Don’t let hobbies be a thing of the past. Remember how fun it was to play with clay and build castles?
As an adult, there might be different activities that call out to you. Your job is to find out what they are and indulge in them as much as possible.
I love journaling, playing the ukulele, and reading books as if there’s no tomorrow.
The more you engage yourself in hobbies, the easier it’ll be to be in your own company.
So, the next time you find yourself alone and at a loss of things to do, pick up an old hobby or try something new.
It’ll feel like hitting the refresh button on your mind, and you’ll love every second of it.
Don’t miss: 15 Hobbies That Make Money And Are Excellent For A Side Income
5. Have Solo Outdoor Adventures
Ever packed a picnic basket for one and driven to a scenic spot for quality time in nature? If not, then you need to write this down on your bucket list right now.
There should be variety in the way you spend time with yourself, just like you would with your best friend.
And when it comes to having a solo date, nothing beats the spirit of a fun outing.
Once a month, put on your best clothes and head to an outdoor cafe to treat yourself to a nice meal or a cup of coffee.
Instead of staying locked indoors on your day off, choose to step outside to connect with nature.
Whether it’s a walk in the park, a hike, or simply sitting in a garden, nature has a way of soothing the mind and promoting a sense of tranquility.
It’s the best way to be alone by yourself without feeling lonely.
6. Learn Something New
It can feel great to be surrounded by people, but let’s be honest – It can be hard to be in a focused zone when there are other souls lurking around.
So, when you find yourself being alone, put this valuable time to good use by learning something new.
This could be through online courses, tutorials, or simply by exploring new topics that interest you.
One of the reasons I started this blog was because I needed an exciting project to work on solo, and it turned out really well for me.
You could do the same, or start learning a new language or an instrument you’ve always wanted to master.
Might help: How To Deal With Lack Of Motivation – 8 Tips That Might Help
7. Be Comfortable With Self-Reflection
I think the reason some of us don’t like being alone is that we’re scared to confront our thoughts. However, self-communication is key for growth.
Think about how comfortable you’ll be with yourself once self-reflection becomes second nature to you.
When you are alone, take some time to consider your goals, values, and what brings you joy.
Use a journal to bounce back your thoughts or just talk to yourself as if you’re talking to a friend. It doesn’t have to be an hour-long chat.
Even ten minutes of introspection can lead to a deeper understanding of yourself and your aspirations, making you more self-aware and committed in pursuit of your goals.
8. Do Something That Brings A Sense Of Connection
Being alone doesn’t have to be completely isolating. In fact, most of my lone hours are enjoyable because I do things that make me feel connected to someone or something.
I’m not talking about hopping on social media, as that can be too overwhelming.
When I say a sense of connection, I’m talking about activities that make you bloom from the inside and make you feel like you have someone with you even if you’re by yourself.
You can do any of these whenever you want to be alone but still want to stay connected to the world:
- Watch a movie
- Run your favorite show in the background
- Listen to a podcast
- Play some feel-good music
- Keep your pet tucked close to you
- Read a blog article
Personally, for me, podcasts and my dog Arry, both have made being alone ten times easier and lovelier.
I usually let a podcast run on my laptop while I paint my nails and pamper myself with self-care rituals, and my dog loves sleeping by my feet while I act like a queen.
9. Engage In Self-Care
Self-care isn’t merely an online trend anymore. It’s evolved into a self-love language that every person deserves to pamper themselves with.
When you find yourself alone after a long day at work or on a quiet Sunday morning, then take a deep breath and murmur to yourself, “I am now entering my self-care zone.”
After that, let your soul guide you into doing things that make both your mind and body happy.
Treat yourself to a spa day at home, take a long bath, or pamper yourself with a skincare routine.
Journal your thoughts, meditate for calmness, and sip a cup of coffee in your favorite corner of the house. Take a nap if you’re tired, and do some mindful stretches afterward to awaken your body.
These days, I’ve been loving curling up with a book and some green tea. I’ve put up some Christmas lights in the living room so that place is my self-care zone for the season.
You could also try creating one for yourself to make your self-care hours rejuvenating and cozy.
Ready To Explore Your Own Company?
Remember, enjoying time alone is a personal journey, and finding what works best for you may take some exploration.
It’s about creating a positive and fulfilling relationship with yourself and becoming your own best friend in the process.
Have fun exploring your solo company! See you in the next post.
Read next: How To Be Content In Life – 10 Meaningful Ways
You just discovered 9 tips on how to enjoy being alone. Got any thoughts to share? Drop a comment behind, and I’ll get back to you ASAP.
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