We’ve all been there, exhausted and overstimulated from too much time with others- even our most favorite people can drain us. Especially for introverts, wanting to be with others has a very strong limit, and once that hits, it’s bye bye happy hour, hello my bedroom and sweatpants- am I right? Or maybe your friends are all out of town this weekend, or you feel like challenging yourself to try something outside of your comfy box, being alone is something that we should all learn to do well!
While it’s always nice to curl up with that nightly routine of your favorite snack and a face mask, it’s also important to take yourself on day dates. Recharge in other ways that you may rule out as fun things to do with yourself. Give some of these activities a try next time you need to unplug from the social scene, or have a day off to kill. See how refreshed you may feel, or maybe even find a new favorite hobby, all while killing the party-of-one game!
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Create a new playlist for yourself or someone else- who doesn’t enjoy some new music?
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Workout- a real go to stress reliever, throw some headphones in, sweat it out, and better yourself!
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Clean- whether that be your apartment kitchen, desk, bedroom, or your car, it’s amazing how much better you’ll feel after a quick freshen up session!
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Go to your favorite coffee shop- I love to take my laptop and go to work in the somewhat calming environment, and if you end up just people watching- that’s okay too!
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Catch up on your reading- whatever your words of choice may be, the latest novel or that pesky textbook, reading can actually be a great mental escape.
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Martha Stewart it up- spend some time researching recipes to find something that jumps out at you, gather all the ingredients and get cooking!
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Hunt for deals- groceries, shoes, Target, Menards, whatever the destination- the shopping possibilities are endless. The independent feeling of shopping alone can be a great confident boost!
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Write- journaling anything; your feelings, your thoughts, prayers, goals, your to do list, or writing a story, poem, or letter to a friend can really help you get outside of your head for awhile and get perspective.
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Closet purge- those shirts shoved in the back of the drawer that haven’t been touched in three years? The worn once pants that you didn’t like the fit of? Get rid of it! Post items to online for-sale boards, sell to local consignment shops or give it away!
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Go to a movie- treat yourself to a movie night, whether that be to the local theater or renting a classic for a night in!
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Get out there- walk outside to a local park, run, bike, rollerblade- whatever your fancy- but give that lovely body of yours some fresh air!
Community and relationships are so important, but don’t forget that your most important, and indefinitely long-term investment is yourself. So spend your time wisely, enjoy life, and treat yourself with love and respect- and get out there! Life is too short!