Defeat Loneliness By Enjoying Your Own Company

In a world revolving around social activities, going by yourself to coffee shops, restaurants, or movie theaters can feel awkward, or downright scary. Being alone in a sea full of people having fun may even cause self-consciousness - with the false sense that you're being watched, even judged negatively by others in public.

However, one essential building block to enjoying your company is embracing solitude. And sometimes, this means letting go of social norms you've been conditioned to live by.

• Start with small steps.

Evaluate a beginning step where you'd feel most relaxed being alone; this can be working from your laptop at a local coffee shop or going to the theater to see that new movie you've been curious about. Make that single outing your starting objective, then gradually test your comfort level more each week.

• Carry a book or journal as a distraction.

If you're used to regularly going out with friends, you're used to the consistent conversation or keeping your hands busy. Without the company of others, books and journals are great distractions to stay preoccupied. If you're experiencing uneasiness during alone time, writing your thoughts and feelings in a journal is effective at helping you understand what's causing it. This, in turn, enables you to confront what's bothering you.

• Ditch the phone.

Nothing keeps you from enjoying the present moment like texting or scrolling through social media, which defeats the point of going out by yourself and being comfortable with it. In addition, phone use may also make contacting your friends tempting and self-consciously asking for their advice or input without their company.

• Try your hands on a new skill.

Most people shy away from being alone since they have no clue how to spend their free time. Trying a new activity or hobby makes excellent use of your free time and encourages you to step out of your comfort zone. This can even be something you enjoyed during childhood. Exploring new interests, or rekindling old ones, is a highly effective way to understand yourself.

• Ground yourself amongst nature.

Not only does spending time in nature promote a sense of well-being, but it's also an excellent method of self-reflecting and feeling grounded in the present moment. Even everyday outdoor activities, such as strolling through the park or riding a bike along the beach, are beneficial. These are effective at controlling symptoms of depression and regulating blood pressure.

• Get in touch with gratitude.

Although loneliness may feel like you're trapped in a cage, it doesn't define your life entirely; these feelings are only temporary. Reflecting on what we have alleviates loneliness by bringing joy and optimism. Write a list of everything in your life you are genuinely grateful for and how they make your life better, then reread it whenever you're feeling down. This will also help you remember that other people do not define your happiness, and enjoying your own company means living life on your terms. 

In a world revolving around social activities, going by yourself to coffee shops, restaurants, or movie theaters can feel awkward, or downright scary. Being alone in a sea full of people having fun may even cause self-consciousness - with the false sense that you're being watched, even judged negatively by others in public.

However, one essential building block to enjoying your company is embracing solitude. And sometimes, this means letting go of social norms you've been conditioned to live by.

1. Start with small steps.

Evaluate a beginning step where you'd feel most relaxed being alone; this can be working from your laptop at a local coffee shop or going to the theater to see that new movie you've been curious about. Make that single outing your starting objective, then gradually test your comfort level more each week.

2. Carry a book or journal as a distraction.

If you're used to regularly going out with friends, you're used to the consistent conversation or keeping your hands busy. Without the company of others, books and journals are great distractions to stay preoccupied. If you're experiencing uneasiness during alone time, writing your thoughts and feelings in a journal is effective at helping you understand what's causing it. This, in turn, enables you to confront what's bothering you.

3. Ditch the phone.

Nothing keeps you from enjoying the present moment like texting or scrolling through social media, which defeats the point of going out by yourself and being comfortable with it. In addition, phone use may also make contacting your friends tempting and self-consciously asking for their advice or input without their company.

4. Try your hands on a new skill.

Most people shy away from being alone since they have no clue how to spend their free time. Trying a new activity or hobby makes excellent use of your free time and encourages you to step out of your comfort zone. This can even be something you enjoyed during childhood. Exploring new interests, or rekindling old ones, is a highly effective way to understand yourself.

5. Ground yourself amongst nature.

Not only does spending time in nature promote a sense of well-being, but it's also an excellent method of self-reflecting and feeling grounded in the present moment. Even everyday outdoor activities, such as strolling through the park or riding a bike along the beach, are beneficial. These are effective at controlling symptoms of depression and regulating blood pressure.

6. Get in touch with gratitude.

Although loneliness may feel like you're trapped in a cage, it doesn't define your life entirely; these feelings are only temporary. Reflecting on what we have alleviates loneliness by bringing joy and optimism. Write a list of everything in your life you are genuinely grateful for and how they make your life better, then reread it whenever you're feeling down. This will also help you remember that other people do not define your happiness, and enjoying your own company means living life on your terms.