By: Caitlin Hancock
As we grow up, we often find ourselves having to spend more time alone. Whether that’s because we’ve moved away from home for college or university, our schedules line up less with our friends or because we simply start to move out of our comfort zones, we kinda have to force ourselves to love our own company.
Take it from someone who has moved away from home before, struggled to make friends and had to be her own best friend at times; sometimes spending some time alone can be the best way to destress and get yourself back on track. Here are 5 of my favorite ways to savor your solitude.
Reconnect with nature
I know we’ve all heard it before… “get some fresh air, it’ll make you feel better…”. Seriously though, as much as I hate to admit that my parents were right about this, there’s nothing quite like feeling the sun on your skin or the breeze on your face. I live by the sea and talking a walk by the beach makes me a million times better than sitting inside. Find a route that you love and romanticize it! Grab a coffee, choose your favorite playlist and just enjoy being outside. The added bonus with this one is that you get your daily steps in too.
Try a new recipe
Been doom-scrolling on TikTok or Pinterest? I guarantee you’ve come across a recipe that you’ve favorited and are definitely going to come back to at some point…
What are you waiting for? Head to the grocery store and try out a brand new recipe. We all secretly know that cooking without anybody else in the way is actually so much more relaxing and if it doesn’t quite to plan who cares?! There’s always next time to perfect it!
Go watch that movie you’ve been wanting to see
Okay, I know this one sounds scary but the cinema is one of the best places to hang out alone. Trust me, everyone’s way too invested in whatever they’re going to see to worry about what you’re doing. Treat yourself to some snacks, settle in, and watch that movie you’ve been wanting to see for ages. Some of the releases that I’m most excited about this year are Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy, Snow White, Sinners, and Saturday Night.
Buy yourself flowers
It’s cliché but a foolproof way to improve your mood. To level up on this one, buy yourself some different bouquets and arrange your own! Flowers are an instant mood booster and having a bright and fresh bouquet in your room does wonders to elevate and brighten up your space. This also doesn’t have to be expensive- my favorite flowers are tulips and a £4 bouquet does wonders to improve my mood!
Tidy your space
Okay, again I know we’ve all heard it before, “clear space, clear head” or something along those lines! This might also seem like a mundane task or even a chore but this is where romanticising the everyday is KEY. Make yourself a fun drink, put on your favorite upbeat playlist and get to cleaning. It doesn’t have to be your whole room or whole apartment, even choosing one area or one thing to tidy can boost that feeling of productivity and help you to improve that time spent alone. Is there a better feeling than tidying your room, lighting a candle, and surveying it with pride after? Probably, but it’s a great feeling nonetheless.
When you learn to love your own company and feel confident in spending time alone, your confidence will skyrocket. No more feeling down if plans change or your friends aren’t available to hang out – look at it as bonus time with yourself! I find that having a healthy balance of solitude and socializing really helps my social battery and shows me the importance of taking time to listen to both my brain and my body.
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