Spending Time Alone

The moment you can say “finally, I have the house to myself.” The moment you can listen to your genre of music as loud as you prefer. The moment you sit and watch a Sex and the City marathon and try to figure out what character you identify with. The moment when you don’t have to be too careful of what your wearing around the house.The moment you sit on the deck daydreaming and listening to the birds chirp. The moment your mind falls deep in thought, no interruption... it’s just you and YOU.

The freedom of not feeling the pressure to do anything, no pressure to talk to anyone, no obligation to make plans with people are ways to process and decompress. Twirling in your thoughts, being creative and finding new interests. This alone time gives you the opportunity to reevaluate life. The time to define who you are and not be defined by another person. Ask yourself “What is it that I want?” Knowing yourself makes it easier to find other people who share and support your passions—those who make your heart smile.

One of the biggest advantages of being alone is that your daily routine, thoughts, and actions are only influenced by you. Make time for it, even if you have to schedule it into your days. One of my favorite quotes by Rumi ”Close your eyes. Fall in love. Stay there.” Short, however meaningful and powerful. My interpretation—Close your eyes- a sense of peace. Fall in love- not necessarily with others, but yourself. Stay there- being at peace and loving yourself is the epitome of life. How could you choose anything different?

If you’re someone who thinks that person in Starbucks reading a book and drinking a caramel ribbon crunch alone is lonely, think again. Being alone and being lonely are two different concepts —don’t confuse the two. Being alone can be very meditative, nothing you should force. The mind will start to quiet itself. When you can learn to be in the moment with yourself, you‘ll start to enjoy your own company, you’ll become a better you —it will reflect in friendships and relationships. Every morning I wake up, I say thank you. A day to be better than I was yesterday. A day to look forward to being alone, even if it’s for 10 minutes to tap into my spirtuality. Putting a smile on someone’s face is nice; but putting a smile on your own face is a gift...and it’s a beautiful feeling!

“Don’t chase another human being. Instead, chase your curiosity. Chase your developments and goals. Chase your passions. Strive to work for something bigger than yourself, and instead of trying to convince someone that you fit within their world- strive to build your own”

-Bianca Sparacino