Society teaches us to be dependent on everything—social media, technology, relationships, money, consumerism, etc. We base how we dress on trends, how we talk on the latest TikTok ‘stim,’ and how we react on those around us. What happened to ‘you?’ What happened to ‘I?’ What happened to alone time?  

According to an article by Medium, there are so many benefits to time alone: 

• Understanding yourself better, your boundaries, your limits 
• Gain self-confidence  
• Acquire stronger self-respect  
• Growth!  
• Self-sufficiency  
• Deeper connections with yourself, and therefore others 

What is Independence?  

As a society, prioritize the feeling of spending time with others—whether it’s doing so, or thinking we should be. It is important to allow yourself to be alone and do things.  

Often people think of ‘alone time’ as taking time to yourself, usually at home, and simply going about your day, but by yourself. Doing chores without distraction, doing some self-care, going to the gym, watching a movie, and so many other things. That being said, doing things that alone is not the same as being independent. It is a common misconception that independence is equal to self-reliance, and while that is important, it is not necessarily true.  

Quality Time with You  

In terms of spending time alone, this means allowing yourself to go out and enjoy activities and things that may, societally, require another person, but going against that grain and going out alone.  

Day after day we are taught the importance of quality time with all types of relationships but often forget to prioritize it in our relationship with ourselves. It is important to spend quality time with yourself.  

Luci Bluto, Video Team Specialist, has some wonderful thoughts on how quality time with herself has helped her.  

“Focusing on my independence this past year has really allowed me to become more aligned with my personal goals and growth. I’m a big people person and found myself often relying on social interaction and others to feel happy. By recognizing that and spending time independently, I became more aware of how I can serve myself, especially when I can’t always be with others. I feel like a stronger person because of it.” 

Solo Dates  

There’s no need to jump right into a sit-down dinner by yourself, start out small.  

• Go out, get a coffee, and stay at the coffee shop.  
• Go thrifting.  
• Gander around an antique store.  
• Go grab ice cream, a shake and fries.  
• Watch a movie in the theatre.  
• Go to the park!  
• Volunteer at an animal shelter, soup kitchens, or other opportunities.  
• Go to the zoo, the aquarium, or the museum.  
• Visit your local farmer markets.  

It is fun to be alone and do things solo, but it can also be scary, and that’s okay! Sometimes we need to work up to things like this, do some soul-searching, learn more about yourself, respect yourself, and gain more confidence in you.