The idea of hanging out alone – or with yourself – is often given a negative connotation. “Do they not have friends?”, one might ask if they perhaps witnessed an acquaintance having dinner by themselves at a restaurant. Doing certain outdoor activities alone is often connected to loneliness, as well as the idea of being unlikable, leading people to think that that is why one hangs out alone.
Truth is, being alone does not always mean that you are lonely. One can have a bunch of friends and relatives – whom they hang out with every once in a while. However, sometimes they might want to willingly hang out solo. Hence, people who take themselves out for dinner or for a coffee are not unlikable at all – in fact, they are likable enough to not mind their own company.
The Benefits of Alone Time
What does liking your own company prove? Recent evidence has found that there are certain benefits to willingly spending time with yourself. Firstly, being alone means you get to explore your own mind and come out with different hobbies or talents that you did not know you were capable of. Secondly, spending time alone will help you create happiness from within and will allow you to detach yourself from unhealthy, dependent relationships you have with others. Moreover, space away from the people you know will allow you to clear your mind, organize your thoughts, and help you take more mindful and rational decisions. Lastly, such alone time will give you the chance to explore yourself, your habits, your patterns, and certain behaviors. It helps you become more self-aware and self-reflecting and, thus, allows you to indulge in healthier social interactions.
It is important to remember that if you are capable of tolerating your own company without the urge to always be around your friends and family, this means that you have a healthy and loving relationship with yourself which often projects healthy and loving relationships with others. Who said you cannot treat yourself all alone every once in a while? Enjoying your own company is an important aspect of forming self-love and self-worth.