Some folks are content to be alone by nature. But for some people, living alone is difficult. If you belong to the latter category, there are techniques to learn to feel more at ease by yourself (yes, even if you’re a die-hard extrovert).
No of how you feel about being alone, investing in a positive relationship with yourself is worthwhile. You do spend a lot of time alone yourself, therefore it makes sense to learn to love it.
Difference Between Being Alone and Being Lonely
It’s crucial to distinguish between the two ideas of being alone and being lonely before discussing the various strategies to obtain happiness while being alone. Despite certain similarities, they represent quite different ideas.
Maybe you’re the kind of person who thrives on alone. You are neither a recluse, a friendless, or a loveless person. Simply put, spending time alone makes you content. In fact, you eagerly anticipate it. That is not loneliness; that is just being alone.
On the other side, it’s possible that despite being surrounded by family and friends, you only interact with them superficially, leaving you feeling lonely and distant. Or perhaps being alone just makes you unhappy and lonely. That is loneliness.
Tips for getting started quickly – How To Be Happy Alone
These pointers are intended to get you started. They might not make your life better over night, but they can make you feel more at ease by yourself.
You could find that some of these are just what you need to hear. You might not understand others’ logic. As stepping stones, use them. To make them fit your own lifestyle and personality, you can add to them and modify them along the road.
20 Proven Ways to Be Happy Alone
1. Do not evaluate yourself against others
Avoid comparing your social life to anyone else’s—we know it’s easier said than done. It doesn’t matter how many friends you have or how frequently you go out with them. It’s what you find effective.
Remember, there’s really no way to tell if someone with a large group of friends and a full social schedule is truly happy.
2. Disengage from social media
Although social media isn’t necessarily terrible or troublesome, you should take a step back if browsing through your feeds makes you feel worried and excluded. The information in that stream is not complete. not by any means.
You don’t know if those folks are acting joyful for real or only to appear pleased. In any case, it has nothing to do with you. In order to put it into perspective, take a big breath.
Try it out by forbidding yourself from using social media for 48 hours. Try setting a daily time limit of 10 to 15 minutes and sticking to it to see if it makes a difference.
3. Go without using a phone.
Observing a pattern here? Undoubtedly, the idea of being alone has altered as a result of cell phones and social media.
With the ability to contact or call virtually anyone, is anyone ever truly alone? Or, without ever speaking to them, find out what that high school friend is doing?
That’s not to argue that technology isn’t a fantastic tool for fostering community and feeling close to loved ones who may be separated by great distances. However, it’s simple to become dependent on technology as a means of avoiding spending time alone yourself.
Turn off your phone the next time you’re alone and put it away for an hour. Spend this time getting to know yourself again and learning what it’s like to be completely alone.
Unsure of what to do with the time? Write down activities you might enjoy doing the next time you find yourself alone using a pen and notebook.
4. Set aside time to let your mind to wander.
Do you find it unsettling to consider doing nothing at all? That’s most likely because it’s been a while since you’ve just let yourself be.
Set a timer for five minutes and experiment with it. All done.
Having no for five minutes:
- television
- music
- internet
- podcasts
- books
Locate a cosy spot to sit or lie down. You can choose to close your eyes, make the room dark, or simply look out the window. Try doing something repetitious if that’s too sedentary, like knitting, dribbling a basketball, or washing dishes.
See where your thoughts take you by letting them actually wander. If it doesn’t go you very far at first, don’t give up. Your mind will eventually adjust to the new freedom.
5. Go on a date with yourself
Self-dates may seem trite, but they can be an effective method for learning how to be content on your own.
Uncertain of what to do? Consider that you’re attempting to impress and have a wonderful time with a real date. What would you do with them? What would you like them to witness or encounter?
Take yourself out on a date right away. At first, it could seem a little strange, but chances are you’ll encounter at least a few other people going out to eat or buying tickets for a movie by yourself.
Still seems too difficult? Start out modest by spending only ten minutes in a coffee shop. Be aware of your surroundings and take them in. Going out alone won’t feel so strange once you’re comfortable with that.
6. Move your body
Endorphins, those neurotransmitters in your brain that might make you feel joyful, are released during exercise.
Start out slowly if you’re new to exercising, even if it’s just some morning stretches. Every day, increase your activity by a minute or two. Try weightlifting, aerobics, or sports as your confidence grows.
Additionally, going to the gym alone can be a fantastic place to start if you still feel uncomfortable going out alone.
7. Take time to enjoy nature
Another cliche, yes. Get outside, though, for real. Sit back and relax in the backyard, stroll through the park, or relax by the river. Take in the natural world’s sights, sounds, and smells. You can feel the wind on your face.
Spending at least 30 minutes a week outside can reduce blood pressure and ease symptoms of depression, according to research from a reliable source.
8. Make the most of your time alone.
Living alone might be particularly tough for some people in terms of happiness. Yes, it may be a little quiet, and nobody will be there to hear you complain after work or remind you to turn off the stove.
However, living alone has its advantages as well (naked vacuuming, anyone?). Try to benefit from the mental and physical space that comes with living alone:
monopolise the area. Spend the day occupying the entire kitchen to prepare a delicious supper you can eat for the following week.
Spread apart. Attempting to pick up an old pastime? Choose what you want to utilise for your upcoming project after gathering all of your resources and spreading them out on the floor. Making decisions took more than one day? It’s no issue. Even if you need to finish it in a week, leave it out till then.
Celebrate by dancing. Pretty self-explanatory, this one. Turn up your favourite music, if the neighbours don’t mind. Dance
Get up and dance. This one should go without saying. Put on your preferred music and, if the neighbours allow it, turn it up. Because, well, they aren’t, dance as if no one is looking.
9. Participate
There are numerous ways to devote your time to helping others. You can lend a hand in person or remotely from your home. Helping others can make you feel good in either case. Additionally, it might enable you to spend valuable alone time while yet feeling connected to people.
Find out about local volunteer opportunities. Finding something that feels good to you is crucial. Make sure your abilities and willingness to fulfil their requirements align.
It’s totally normal to go on and look for something else if the first thing you try doesn’t work out.
whenever the chance arises, perform a random act of kindness.
10. Express your gratitude for some things.
According to research, being appreciative might increase sentiments of joy and hope.
As you go about your day, it’s simple to take things for granted. Spend some time thinking about the things you have to be thankful for.
They don’t have to be great, mind-blowing stuff. They can be as straightforward as your morning coffee or a song you listen to repeatedly because it makes you feel calmer.
List the items in your life that you are grateful for, either mentally or physically. When you’re next by yourself and feeling depressed, pull this list out to remind yourself of all your advantages.
11. Take some time off.
It’s beneficial to reflect about oneself. It’s not harsh self-criticism. Your happiness and sense of self-worth are eroded by it. Turn to the more uplifting voice in your thoughts when your inner critic is being negative (you know it’s there someplace).
Don’t be harsher on yourself than you would be on anyone else. Don’t keep berating yourself for your errors because everyone makes them. Keep in mind all the positive traits you have.
12. Treat yourself to a fine meal.
No one to eat with? It’s not necessary to consume premade meals in front of the TV when dining alone. Make a wonderful meal for one.
Do everything you would if you were hosting a dinner party, including setting the table, using a cloth napkin, lighting a candle, etc. All by yourself, you are worth it.
13. Locate an area of creativity
What have you been putting off doing but have always wanted to do? If you’re not very good at it, don’t worry. The goal is to venture outside your comfort zone and attempt something new and unusual.
Take up a project to improve your home. Take up an instrument, a painting technique, or short story writing. Either go it alone or take a class. Allow yourself enough time to decide if it’s worthwhile to pursue.
At the very least, you can mark it off your list and move on if you don’t like it.
14. Arrange for solitary adventures.
Make a list of intriguing things to do and schedule them. Provide yourself with something to anticipate. After all, half the fun is in the anticipation. Furthermore, writing it down on your calendar might encourage you to follow through.
Stay at a bed & breakfast while visiting a local town. Visit a farmers market or neighbourhood festival. Purchase a ticket for that incredible art exhibit or performance that everyone is raving about. Make a plan for something you’re genuinely passionate about and see it through.
Long-term advice on How to be Happy Alone
You can delve a little further as you get more accustomed to living alone on a daily basis.
15. Change up your daily habits
Even a routine that is successful over time can eventually become boring, leaving you unmotivated. Consider your daily activities and the area around you. What still appeals to you and what has grown boring?
Take a stab at it if you’re unsure. Refresh everything. Paint a wall or rearrange your furnishings. Start a garden, organise your home, or look for a new coffee shop. To get yourself out of that rut, see if there is anything you can modify.
16. Develop your coping mechanisms
There are stressors in life, and horrible things do occur. Ignoring this reality serves no purpose. But do you recall the time when something unfortunate occurred and you learned how to handle it? It would be wise to keep honing that talent.
Think about how you handled things back then and why it worked. Consider how you might handle current events by adopting that same mentality. Giving yourself some credit at this point is also a smart idea. More than you realise, you’re probably far tougher and more resilient.
17. Foster connections
You might discover that you spend less time socialising as you get used to being by yourself. Although there is nothing wrong with that, intimate social ties are still crucial.
After work, make plans to visit a friend or member of your family, or hang out with the team. Make a call to someone you haven’t spoken to in a while, and engage them in a meaningful conversation.
18. Be willing to forgive
What does happiness have to do with forgiving others? It turns out, a lot. Forgiveness may lessen stress, worry, and sadness, among other health advantages.
Making yourself feel better comes before improving how the other person feels. This means that even if you write a letter of forgiveness to someone who has wronged you but never send it, it still counts.
You can feel lighter after being forgiven. While you’re doing it, remember to forgive yourself as well.
19. Watch out for your health
Physical and mental health are correlated with one another. Maintaining good physical health may contribute to greater happiness in general. It also helps you develop a positive relationship with yourself.
Make healthy food, frequent exercise, and getting enough sleep a priority during your alone time. Make sure to visit your doctor for an annual physical and to handle any current medical concerns.
20. Make future preparations
What do you want your personal and professional lives to look like in five or ten years? What steps must you take to reach those objectives? Making your selections more informed by writing this down.
Every year, check back and assess if you’re still on track or if your goals need to be adjusted. Making preparations for the future can make you feel more upbeat and positive today