As I grow older, I’ve learnt to appreciate spending my time alone rather than being part of a huge crowd.
I’ve been reflecting on why I feel this way, as when I was younger, many people thought of loneliness as being sad and isolated. As I read more and spoke to more people on this, I’ve gathered surprising insights and fun facts that will make you want to schedule some time to chill… all by yourself! (If you’re not a convert already.)
Ready to uncover what ‘me-time’ can do? Let’s go!
1. Boosts Your Creativity
While it’s great to bounce ideas back and forth with other people, spending time alone actually makes you a more creative person. It’s almost as if you hit your brain’s refresh button! Not convinced? Ever noticed how most artists and writers create their best work when they’re alone?
This is because without the usual distractions, your brain finally has the time to be on its own to digest everything it’s been taking in to connect the dots. It can drift in new directions and come up with innovative ideas without others’ influence.
Think of the great artist Vincent Van Gogh. He was very much a people person. He loved people and made close and lasting friendships. But his greatest works came when he was in solitude.
2. Strengthens Your Relationship with Yourself
When you’re out and about with other people, naturally we tend to check on others instead of ourselves. When we’re alone, it’s the best time for us to get to know ourselves.
Being alone gives you the time to be intentional about knowing yourself, just like you would with your closest friends. Ask yourself things you’d ask your friends; discover your inner quirks and dreams. When you get to know yourself better, you love yourself more, and it helps build self-esteem and personal validation.
Think of it as taking yourself out for coffee!
3. Enhances Focus and Concentration
In today’s buzzing world, everything is fighting for your attention. The news on the radio, your phone notifications, the thousands of advertisements when you’re driving. Finding focus is like trying to herd cats! .Alone time helps you to zero in on what’s important.
Research has shown that solitude can improve concentration by minimising interruptions. This means identifying tasks throughout your day that require the most brain power and concentration, then blocking out your time to do them alone! That might turn what is usually a 2-hour task into a 30-minute one since your brain is able to process faster and make quicker decisions.
So ask yourself, what’s that task that you need quiet time to do alone?
4. Improves Decision Making
Do you ever feel overwhelmed by everyone’s opinions during a group discussion? Solitary moments give you a chance to consider your own thoughts.
In tense discussions, many people may sway your decisions unintentionally as your brain tries to digest new information even seconds before making a decision.
Being alone allows your brain to digest all the information and reach within your inner values to make a decision that aligns with your personal beliefs, free from the influence of others. This becomes important because it helps you carefully consider what’s most important to you before making a decision.
5. Enhances Emotional Intelligence
Quiet time alone is crucial for understanding your own emotions. It’s like having a heart-to-heart with yourself. It’s the only time when you can ask yourself things like “Why did I react that way?”, “Why didn’t I offer to help?”, and “How do I actually feel about what just happened?”.
This process connects us to our deepest values and helps us understand why we are the way we are. It sharpens our emotional intelligence, enhancing empathy and self-awareness. What I found even more interesting was that it helped me to decode the emotional complexities of others too.
6. Inspires New Hobbies
Alone time can be an ‘Aha!’ moment for new interests or forgotten passions. When we’re with others, our focus is usually on missing out on things that other people are doing and how we can follow the latest trends.
But when we’re alone, we give our mind the time to gravitate towards things that we’re naturally attracted to, and these are often activities that can turn into lifelong hobbies! I’ve personally found my hobby in photography after thinking about how fascinating things can look from different angles.
7. Cultivates Gratitude
As you may have caught on, being alone brings about a lot of self-reflection and appreciation of our personal values. This often leads to moments of gratitude as we realise the small yet positive things in our lives during introspection.
I’ve found to recognise how lucky I am to have the relationships I have, the food that I eat, the place that I stay, and my ability to travel to explore the world around me.
You may have a different answer from me and solitude is your first step to finding them.
Embrace Your Solo Adventure
Contrary to popular belief, spending time alone isn’t something to avoid; embrace it as an opportunity for growth. It can help bring creativity, clarity, and a deeper connection with yourself. But don’t forget to balance it out with some time with the people you love, a mix of both is key!