Alone but Not Lonely: The Benefits of Spending More Time with Yourself
- BeWellAdmin
- Aug 1
- 2 min read
For a lot of us, being alone doesn’t feel like a choice. It feels like an unfortunate truth thrust upon us by circumstance or environment. The fact is, being alone may not always be a choice, but feeling lonely might be something you can control.
Being physically alone and feeling lonely are not equivalent. Being alone can still mean feeling content, fulfilled, and even happy. The concept of positive solitude is often lost on a generation constantly desiring to feel connected, overlooking the benefits of alone time.
It is crucial to not only be okay with alone time, but also to embrace it! Spending time alone can bring about several positive outcomes:
Knowing yourself better: Spending time alone allows you to make decisions and formulate thoughts without external influence. It allows you to build a better relationship with yourself, which in turn, supports your relationships with others.
Better emotional regulation: Oftentimes, people who spend time alone speak of a sense of “peace.” Though partially credited to a lack of external stimulation, this sense of peace stems from the ability to think through your decisions and responses to various situations independently, creating an overall more calm and level-headed approach to conflict.
Enhances self-compassion and confidence: When making a new friend, the more time you spend together the more you trust them and enjoy their company. Spending time with yourself is similar. You may find yourself becoming more self assured after spending time alone.
Sometimes this is easier said than done. If you’re struggling to figure out how to spend time alone without inevitably doom scrolling, you can book an appointment with our Peer and/or Professional Wellness Coaches who may be able to support you in your goal setting and figuring out what this journey might actually look like.
Depending on your interests, you might benefit from trying some of these ideas this summer:
Journaling
Trying out a new recipe
Taking yourself on a picnic
Going on a hike
Like any new skill or habit, spending time alone is like working out a muscle – you’ll get better at it overtime. It’s okay to start off small and build up your alone time, and before you know it, you may start to embrace alone time, without battling with loneliness.
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