At some point in our lives, we are going to be alone. Especially for those of us who are used to be around friends, family, or a partner while doing things such as traveling or spending our free time, we become more and more afraid to be alone. It surely takes courage to travel solo, and for some it might be out of their comfort zone to dine alone. No matter what the reason is, here are some of my tips that I find helpful to practice that guides me to savor my personal time.
Slow Down
In today’s world where everything is so accessible and advanced, we think we would have more time to spare, yet in reality we know it’s not true. People including myself have become more irritable and impatient. Living in Manhattan, I experience a fast-paced life first hand. I question myself why we are always occupied and never have enough of time. I begin to read books that talk about slow living, and I realize that it’s the media and society that we are exposed to that make us feel that we need to be constantly doing something to be productive, but in reality we become less efficient by multitasking. With our physical and mental health at stake, it’s important to find a balance. Doing nothing doesn’t mean you’re not being productive. We often get inspired when we simply just keep our minds cleared.
Switch Off Social Media
Recently I’d switched off social media for a week, because my eyes were getting irritated and dry from constantly checking on my phone. Going on the fast without any expectations except for more comfortable eyes, I didn’t know it could have such a big impact in my daily life. I went from being anxious to check Instagram every 15 ~ 20 minutes for at least 10 minutes (which was very distracting,) to having a bunch of free time focusing on practicing yoga, meditation, working out, reading, and basically just resting my eyes. I also got back into the habit of writing and learning about history. I realize that due to boredom we are afraid to be alone. I find reading and writing more enjoyable now, and am able to focus on learning things that I’m interested in without the distraction of social media. Now I only use Instagram once a day sometimes not even.
Invest In Yourself
When I’m on vacation, I like to enhance my relaxation by booking spa and massage treatments. It’s important to take care of body, mind, and soul, so we feel good about ourselves. Happiness comes from within. I’ve been practicing yoga for 3 + years now, I find it extremely helpful in alleviating all the muscle tension in my body, especially around my neck and shoulders. I also like to wear make-up when I go out (except when I go exercise) because it makes me look and feel fresh. I find investing in our body and mind essential for a healthy personal life.
Be Active
I find having a healthy mix of down time and active life is beneficial for health and mental state. A couple of years ago I was going through some hardships in my life and was introduced to yoga and BODYCOMBAT classes. Exercising really helps with stress relieve and health maintenance. Being active can also mean doing something adventurous or outside of your comfort zone, such as travel to remote places (choose a safe trustworthy travel agency or tour,) or volunteer.
Start Small
Having a fulfilled solo life doesn’t mean you need to do or not do everything self-improvement books or this blog mentioned all at once. Start with something small and make viable changes and goals. You can start by practicing self-love. It is one of the key components to happiness. It sounds simple to take care, embrace, and love ourselves, but we often neglect this part of our life. You can also declutter your living space. A clean clutter-free living environment keeps our mind cleared and calm.
Be Grateful
We often tend to focus on what we don’t have instead of what we have, and this leads to us feeling empty and miserable. It’s fine to dream big and have a bucket list (I have the longest bucket list lol,) but try not to over complicate life. Express gratitude everyday will bring you joy and happiness, because it shows us how simple life can be. We often get stressed out, because we want to have a life we don’t have, and we don’t see the end to our misery. When I learn to see life with a grateful heart, I experience and receive so much joy and fulfillment.
**All photos are mine
