Learning to Appreciate Your Time Alone

If you’re lonely when you’re alone,

you’re in bad company.

Jean-Paul Sartre

Spending some time alone can either be embraced or eschewed. You might not have much opportunity for solitary moments, or perhaps you spend a lot of time alone and struggle with how to fill your hours.

Regardless of whether time alone excites you or frustrates you, here are some ways you can make the most of your solitary moments:

1. Movies. Being alone is the perfect opportunity to watch some films you have always wanted to see, or one you love to watch over and over.

• To really make the most of your solitary time, keep a running list of the movies you want to watch. Then you can select the ones that will provide you with the most enjoyment. Two of my favorites are “Kingdom of Heaven” and “Beetlejuice,” both of which I am certain no one wants to watch with me more than once.


• When you know you have some time alone coming up in your schedule, check out a couple of the movies on Netflix, at the library, rent them at your local movie rental store, or use your cable or satellite television services to view the films.


• Feel free to pop some popcorn and grab your favorite beverage!

2. Do something you love. If you have a hobby that you adore, you know that there is never enough time for your hobby. With some occasional alone time, you have some chances to really get into your favorite pastime, whatever it may be.

• Perhaps you love writing poetry but rarely have the opportunity to sit down and write. Plan to spend your next bit of solitary time waxing poetic.

3. Spend time in and with nature. Getting in tune with nature is a wonderful way to spend time alone. Take a walk outdoors, visit your local park, go to the closest lake, or visit the ocean if you are fortunate enough to live close to one.

• Pay attention to everything that is going on around you: birds flying by, dogs taking their masters for a walk, and children playing in the sand.


• Becoming re-acquainted with nature from time to time will help you gain peace and serenity from your solitary moments.

4. Read. Reading your favorite book, novel or biography can be highly enjoyable when home alone. Is there anything as comforting as curling up with a good book?

5. Plan ahead. If you are more of a Type A personality and prefer to be productive most of the time, consider your solitary moments as little gems of time for planning future productivity. Make a list of all the work tasks you want to accomplish over the next month or two.

• Try writing out the changes you want to make in your home. Then prioritize them.


• You can even record the goals you hope to achieve over the next 5 years.

6. Play. Enjoy new games and gadgets. With all the new technology available today, perhaps you have been looking for some time to learn all of the ins and outs of your new gadget. With solitary moments, you can explore your new apps or have some fun playing a game.

• It really is okay to spend some of your time alone engaging in fun and frivolity. These are your moments. Enjoy them!

7. Meditation. Meditate to bring calmness, balance, and joy to your life. Practicing meditation is known to reduce anxiety, increase feelings of wellness and encourage relaxation.

• Delving into meditation will enrich your life in a number of ways. It may even help you sleep better.

8. Explore. Learn something new. If, for instance, you have always wanted to learn more about the history of your country or how to speak Spanish, get some books and DVDs to begin your “education.”

9. Work out. Exercise can really make the most of your alone time. As long as your doctor approves, you can start a fitness routine right away. You will get that sought-after buzz from exercising, improve your health, and look better too.

Regardless of how much time alone you have, you can make the most of those solitary moments. You can choose to do nothing at all. You can engage in your favorite hobby, get closer to nature, read a book, or learn something new. Make a conscious decision about how to spend your alone time and your life will be changed for the better!

Photo Credit: sunnywinds* via Compfight cc

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