We all need a break from everyone from time to time and to be alone with ourselves. But when those moments come, most of us either endlessly scroll through social networks, watch soap operas, or go to bed. Here are 10 ways to spend time alone in a useful and interesting way.
Inspect your paper or electronic planner, mark the completed tasks in it and make an up-to-date to-do list from the remaining ones. This simple action helps you accomplish 3 goals at once:
To disconnect yourself temporarily from the Internet with its endless news and social networks is necessary to feel all the beauty of peace, which gives solitude. This is the first step to get rid of a huge number of irritants that disturb our inner harmony.
Often for a long time we cannot find solutions to the problems we face at work or in personal life. But once you are alone and disconnected from external stimuli, ways out of the situation may come to your mind on their own. Often the simplest actions, such as:
Fresh air, vitamin D, and physical activity are vital to our survival. So why not use the time alone to do something interesting outdoors? It could be anything from a walk in the nearest park to going out of town and stargazing.
Another way for those who don’t like to be alone. At such times, it’s worth making a list of people with whom you would like to communicate. These could be friends you haven’t met in a while, relatives who live far away, recruiters of companies where you’d like to work, a best friend who recently returned from a long trip. That way you can remember how many wonderful people there are in your life and expand your circle of acquaintances.
Communicating in such an old-school way as regular mail has become a real exoticism. Such a method of communication requires temporarily slowing down, because not only do you have to write a letter by hand, but you also have to find an envelope and stamps and go to the post office to send the message. The more valuable such a paper letter is to the recipient. It’s a great way to show attention and care for the people you care about.
One of the best things you can do with yourself from time to time is to reconsider what you want to do with your life. Every few months or even years, it’s really helpful to think about what you really want to do. Document that thought, relate it to what you’re doing now, and conclude whether or not you’re making progress toward your goal. If not, it’s time to reconsider either your goals or the means of achieving them.
This point is closely related to the previous one. As time passes, our life goals and priorities can change dramatically, it’s normal. There is nothing wrong with stopping at some point and admitting to yourself that your priorities have changed. And time alone is the best time to reflect on this and adjust your plans.
If you’re the kind of person who has a hard time with loneliness, use these moments to make action plans for the future. They can be about anything: a new project at work, going on vacation, working on relationships with couples, children, parents, friends, making an exercise program, or switching to a healthier diet. As you think through the steps toward your goal, you also envision the end result, which is very motivating.
Reading remains one of the best ways to pass the time. It not only allows you to rest and calm down, but also to learn something new that you can use further in life and work. It’s perfect to read a paper book without the distraction of endless notifications on your smartphone.
