The Art of Alone Time
By: Hayley Zugaro
There’s a major stigma surrounding the idea of being alone. People often associate alone time with loneliness, but the two are not synonymous. Especially in college, it can be hard to change this perspective. As college students, we pride ourselves on the connections we make, and our measure of success is how busy we are. The second we get a moment to ourselves we feel like we’re doing something wrong, and we immediately try to remedy this by making plans.
Don’t get me wrong, the prospect of spending hours alone, contemplating life can be daunting. Which is why I find it helpful to add some structure to my free time, and fill it with tasks that are fulfilling. Alone time is a necessity, and it is extremely beneficial for our health and well-being. If you are not sure how to go about spending time alone, here are some ideas so that you can find peace in the quiet moments.
Go for a walk.
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This one is easy. Just put on your walking shoes and headphones, listen to the sounds of nature and hit the trail. Going for a walk is a sure-fire way to clear your mind or ruminate over your thoughts. Walking is great for your mental and physical health, so make it part of your routine if you’d like!
2. Go to a cafe.
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Whether it’s a new one you’re trying out or a familiar favorite, going to a cafe is an easy solitary activity. If you feel like you need to get out of the house, this is the perfect thing to do for a change of scenery. There are no excuses when you’re in a cozy cafe, so get ahead on schoolwork or do that thing you have been putting off for a while. Or, just bring a copy of your favorite classic literature and let everyone wonder who that mysterious stranger in the coffee shop is.
3. Take a workout class.
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I used to be so afraid of going to workout classes alone. I was stressed about having to sit by myself in silence before class started. I was worried that other people would think I was lame for for showing up alone. After going to a couple of classes alone, I slowly started to realize that no one cares. I am certainly never thinking these things about others because I’m too busy worrying about myself.
4. Go to a movie
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This one just seems intuitive. Why do we treat going to the movie theater as a group activity? The purpose of going to the theater is to get the full experience of a film, preferably in complete silence. This can be hard to do when you are with others because you may be tempted to chat. I recommend going to the movies by yourself, with no distractions, and see how your experience is enhanced.
With all of this being said, bask in having no set plans. Take advantage of having no one else to coordinate with and do something to feed your soul. And don’t let your fear of looking stupid hold you back.
