We explained in detail the ways to be happy when alone or how to be happy with yourself.
Some people can be happy when they are alone. But for others it is very difficult to be alone. If you're in the second group, don't be alarmed. Because there are ways to be more comfortable being alone. No matter how you feel about being alone, establishing a good relationship with yourself is a worthwhile investment. After all, you spend a lot of time with yourself, so you must learn to enjoy it. Here is the guide to being happy alone.
1. Don't compare yourself to others
Of course, this is easier said than done, but avoid comparing your social life to that of others. It's not the number of friends you have or how often you socialize that matters. Remember, even someone with lots of friends and an active social life can still be unhappy.
2. Take some time off from social media
If you're feeling left out or stressed while browsing social media, take a break from social media for a while. It is impossible to know whether people on social media are really happy or just pretending to be. So take a deep breath and look through a wider window. To test yourself, stay away from social media for 48 hours. If that sounds good to you, set a limit and only engage in social media for 10-15 minutes a day.
3. Stay away from the phone for a while
Cell phones and social media have undoubtedly changed the concept of being alone. Next time you're alone, turn off your phone and hide it for an hour. Use this time to reconnect with yourself and explore what it feels like to be truly alone. Not sure how to spend your time away from the phone? Grab a pen and notepad and write down things you'd enjoy doing the next time you're alone.
4. Take time to think
Does the thought of doing absolutely nothing bother you? Probably because it's been a long time since I've let you be yourself. Take time for 5 minutes and stay away from the following things.
TV
Internet
Music
podcast
Book
Sit or lie down in a comfortable position. Then close your eyes or look out the window. If sitting still bothers you, do repetitive things like knitting, playing basketball, or doing the dishes. Let your mind wander freely and see where it takes you. Don't be discouraged if it doesn't get you very far at first. Your mind will get used to this new freedom over time.
5. Take yourself out on a date
While it's cliché, self-dates can be a good way to learn how to be happy on your own. Not sure what to do? Imagine trying to impress the people you love and having a good time with them. Where would you take them? What would you like them to see or experience? Once you find these, get yourself on that date. While this may seem strange at first, you'll realize that it's normal once you see people like you dining alone or buying single movie tickets.
If you are short of money, avoid doing expensive things. But remember, a one-person date is much cheaper than a two-person date. 🙂
Does it still sound too scary? Start by sitting in a cafe for just 10 minutes. Watch your surroundings carefully. Once you're comfortable with it, going out alone won't seem so unusual anymore.
6. Do sports
The exercises you do cause you to release endorphins and make you feel happier. If you are new to sports, you can start by exercising for a few minutes a day. Then increase your exercise time by a few minutes each day. When your self-confidence increases, you can try different sports such as weight lifting and aerobics. And if you're still restless about going out on your own, going to the gym alone can be a great starting point.
7. Try to be in touch with nature
Yes, it's a cliché too, but it definitely works. Spend time in your garden, take a walk in the park or go to wet places like rivers, lakes and seas. Soak up the sights, sounds and smells of nature. Feel the wind on your face. Research shows that spending 30 minutes or more a week in nature can improve symptoms of depression and lower blood pressure.
8. Take advantage of being alone
Some people find it very difficult to be happy when living alone. Sure, there may be some silence, and when you come home after work there is no one to listen to what you went through that day or remind you to turn off the electric heater. But living alone also has its advantages. Try to take advantage of the physical and mental space that comes with living alone.
Utilize all the space: Spend the day tidying up the entire kitchen to cook and eat a delicious meal next week.
Put your things where you want and leave them where you want: Want to start an old hobby again? Get all your supplies and put them down, then decide what you want to use for your project. Can't decide in a single day? No problem. It doesn't matter if it's a week from now. Because there is no one to tell you to pick things up off the floor. So be comfortable.
Throw a dance party: Get permission from the neighbors and turn your favorite music up loud. Dance like no one is watching, because really no one is watching. So do whatever you want.
9. Help others
There are many ways to help others. For this, you can help people by volunteering in some projects or you can help from home via the internet. It also allows you to feel connected to others while continuing to spend quality time alone. Find out how you can help people around you. Try to do what feels right to you.
10. Think about the things you are grateful for
Research shows that gratitude can increase feelings of happiness and hope. Take some time to think about the things you are grateful for. This could be the coffee you drink or the music you listen to when you wake up in the morning. Make a mental or physical list of the things you are grateful for in your life. The next time you're alone and depressed, refer to this list to remind yourself of everything to do.
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11. Stop criticizing yourself unnecessarily
It's okay to criticize yourself. But doing this all the time is very harmful. It consumes your self-confidence and happiness. The next time you criticize yourself, try to think about your positive aspects. Don't judge yourself harder than you judge anyone else. Everyone makes mistakes, so don't beat yourself up for them. Remember the many good qualities you have.
12. Have a nice meal
Don't have a friend you can have dinner with? No problem. Then have a nice meal by yourself. Eating alone does not mean eating ready meals in front of the TV. Prepare a great meal for yourself. Set the table, use a cloth napkin, light a candle and do what you would do at a dinner party. Because you alone are worth everything.
13. Try doing new things
What is the thing you always dreamed of doing but put off? If you're not good at what you dream of doing, don't worry. The important thing is to try something new and different and step outside of your comfort zone. Take on a home improvement project, learn to play an instrument, draw a landscape or write a short story. But do these on your own or train to be able to do them.
14. Plan solo trips
Find interesting things to do and add them to your calendar. Give yourself something to look forward to. After all, anticipation is half the fun. Visit a nearby town and have a nice breakfast. Attend a local festival or farmer's market. Get tickets to a concert or that amazing art exhibition everyone's talking about. Plan for something you're really interested in and make it happen.
15. Get out of your routine
Even a good routine can ultimately leave you uninspired. Think about your daily routine and your immediate surroundings. What are the boring things in this routine? After reviewing them, make some changes and innovations. Rearrange your furniture or paint a wall. Tidy up your garden or go to a new cafe.
16. Learn to deal with the bad things in life
Bad things can happen in life. Ignoring this fact will only harm you. That's why it's so important to learn to deal with the bad things you've been through. Think about how you can mentally deal with the bad events you are currently experiencing. You are probably much stronger and more resilient than you think.
17. Nurture your relationships
As you become more comfortable alone, you will find that you spend less time socializing. There's nothing wrong with that, but close social connections are still important. Visit a family member or a friend, or hang out with your coworkers after work. Or call and talk to someone you haven't heard from for a long time.
18. Practice forgiveness
You might think, what does forgiveness have to do with happiness? It actually has a lot more to do with it than it seems. Because the act of forgiveness reduces stress, anxiety and depression. When you forgive someone, a huge burden is lifted from you. But don't forget to forgive yourself while doing this.
19. Take care of your health
Mental health can affect physical health and vice versa. Taking care of your physical health helps increase your overall happiness. It also allows you to establish a good relationship with yourself. Eat healthy food, exercise regularly and get a good night's sleep. Get a check-up every year and see doctors regularly for your current health problems.
20. Make plans for the future
Where would you like to be in 5 or 10 years, both personally and professionally? What do you need to do to reach these goals? Writing this down can help guide your decisions. Repeat this exercise every year to see if you're on the right track or if your goals need revision. Making plans for tomorrow can make you feel more hopeful and optimistic today.
Don't be afraid to ask for help
Sometimes applying the items on this list may not be enough. In this case, do not hesitate to ask for help. It may be good to see a therapist if you are experiencing the following conditions:
You are overly stressed and have a hard time coping with life.
You have anxiety symptoms.
You have symptoms of depression.
You don't have to wait for a crisis to go to the therapist. Even just wanting to get better is an excellent reason.
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