Did you know being comfortable alone is a sign of healthy self-esteem?
We live in a world of constant contact—a place that’s losing sight of the importance of being alone.
When around others, even when you don't realize it, you monitor people's reactions in order to gauge the appropriateness of your own feelings and actions.
Solitude helps you regulate your emotions and has a calming effect that prepares you to better engage with others.
It increases your emotional intelligence and Self-awareness. Emotional intelligence (EQ) is your ability to recognize and understand emotions in yourself and others and your ability to use this awareness to manage your behavior and relationships.
Self-awareness is the foundation of emotional intelligence, and you can’t increase your EQ without it. Since self-awareness requires understanding your emotions and how you react to various people and situations, this necessitates careful self-reflection, and self-reflection happens best when you’re alone.
Solitude is a time for reflection, for thinking about things more deeply. In a world increasingly focused on speed and competitiveness, solitude is precious and something to be treasured.
One of the greatest benefits of spending time alone is how it helps you develop a better understanding of who you are. The more you know and understand yourself the more likely you are to do things that you love, learn things that interest you and spend time with people who make you feel good.
You don't need to set aside big blocks of time to be by yourself in order to benefit from solitude. Just twenty minutes of alone time each day is enough to help you rejuvenate from the daily grind.
If you think you don't have time to sit quietly and think, you probably need alone time more than ever. The busier you are, the more likely you are to benefit from some quiet time.
Here are the top 16 ways to help you develop spending time alone, building your Emotional Intelligence and start cultivating the practice of being self-aware.
1. Read a book or listen to an audiobook.
2. Write in a journal or start a blog.
3. Take a walk or go for a hike.
4. Watch a movie or binge-watch a TV show.
5. Exercise or practice yoga.
6. Cook a meal or try a new recipe.
7. Meditate or practice mindfulness.
8. Learn a new skill or take an online course.
9. Listen to music or create a playlist.
10. Do a puzzle or play a board game.
11. Paint, draw, or do other creative activities.
12. Declutter your space or organize your belongings.
13. Take a relaxing bath or shower.
14. Visit a museum or art gallery.
15. Volunteer or do a good deed for someone else.
16. Reflect on your goals and priorities.
