I Stand Alone

If you’re reading this you’re probably really bored and, at the moment, have no one to be with. Whether you long for a boyfriend or girlfriend, or miss your family and friends, this guide can help you cope with living alone. Keep in mind that humans are indeed social animals, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t be perfectly happy outside of society too.Whether we’re catching a movie with friends, clicking through Facebook or just vegging on the couch with the family, we’re often in the company of someone else. There’s nothing wrong with that, but every now and then, there’s a case for taking some time to go solo.

Here’s why: When you’re with other people, there’s always a part of you that’s preoccupied with considerations about what they want, what they may be thinking about you and what they are expecting from you. When you’re by yourself, there’s no need to worry about anything else, and the only expectations you can live up to or fail are your own. Scheduling some “me time” allows you to pay more attention to what you find important, to do what you like and be who you really are. Most of all, it allows you to simply and totally relax.The holidays are all about warm and fuzzy memories, but this season, we encourage you to tackle some of the activities on this list, get a little more comfortable and show yourself some love.

Still need more inspiration?

Catch a movie you’ve been meaning to see. It can be a second screening of that flick you caught with the girls last week, or indulge in the guilty pleasure of a movie that will be wonderfully terrible.

Eat lunch or dinner at a restaurant—have no shame in grabbing a table for one. If you need a little extra courage, bring along some reading material or a sketchpad.

Test a new recipe. If you mess up, there are no witnesses. If there’s too much food left over, surprise a neighbor or donate to a local food kitchen.

Learn something—anything—new! Enroll in a class for something you’ve never tried to do before, at school or any number of local businesses, community colleges or municipal organizations. There’s a myriad of resources online that you can take advantage of right at home on cold winter days.

Volunteer for a cause that’s meaningful to you. Get involved with a club that sponsors philanthropy on campus and in your community, or check out http://www.volunteermatch.org/ to find opportunities online.

Travel! Plan an excursion to somewhere you normally go alone or to someplace totally new. Some people find it especially easy to try new things and be more adventurous in a destination where they’re anonymous. Just be sure you stay safe.

Tips

• Be confident and respect yourself always.
• Keep your mind as active as possible. It will help you cope with the fact that you are alone and will also help you improve yourself.
• Don’t let others (especially married friends and colleagues)influence or pressure you into feeling somehow guilty or inadequate about your single/live-alone status. The single life isn’t for everybody, obviously, but neither is marriage or cohabiting couple arrangements. So to each his/her own. Revel in your independence, and the choices you’ve made regarding your life and living alone.
• Have fun, don’t let the little things get to you.
• Go out for a walk and get some fresh air- morning sun will boost your energy, at night, air will loosen any stress.
• Let go. Don’t think about being alone, just accept it.
• Remember that life has it’s seasons. It is constantly changing. So even if you desire to be with a significant other, it’ll come when it’s supposed to come. Be patient to let your life take it’s own course, for everyone’s path and story is different and the present isn’t always going to be the future.
• Being single and living alone shouldn’t mean that you have sloppy routines, neglect your health, or be disorganised and messy around the house. Make the effort to stay fit, eat regular meals, and keep the house and belongings tidy. It does feel better to be self-sufficient and organised.
• Life is very beautiful, and so very short, so enjoy every moment of life.
• Take life positively, sometimes with patience, and remember things will all work out in the end.
• Never forget those wonderful moments with your family.
• Look at those who have it worse, and be gratefully happy!
• Getting a pet doesn’t mean getting a dog or cat right away. Often, if you are unprepared to deal with this level of responsibility, the experience will be terrible for both you and the animal. Don’t be fooled into thinking a smaller animal like a rabbit or bird won’t need lots of care – a rabbit needs daily human contact and several hours of time to run about a day, not to mention cleaning it out. Fully research any animal you are considering as a pet then go to your local animal shelter, there are hundreds of lovely animals there just waiting for a home! Some animal shelters will let you ‘foster’ a pet, which gives the animal a much needed break from the confines of the shelter and gives you the companionship you crave with-out a long-term commitment.
• You can even go help those doing worse- rest homes, volunteer work in your city, call and see how a friend is doing, etc.
• Think of the times in relationships when you yearned for some space on your own. You now have that. Do the things you can’t in a relationship!
• Be careful of who you trust. Don’t be too eager to meet someone you just met on-line. It’s best to not talk to people online whose identity you cannot verify, and if you do talk to a stranger online, you should have parental approval and never agree to meet with that person.
• If you’re going to go out, make sure your neighborhood is safe. If not go to a safer neighborhood.