Loneliness is something we all feel, and it is part of human nature to yearn for companionship. However,it’s also important to learn how to be content with oneself. Learning to enjoy my own company became part of my journey of practicing self love and learning to be at peace with myself. 2021, much like its predecessor, was a year of solitude and uncertainty. I realized just how important it was to be content with myself. I reminded myself that I was enough and being alone didn’t mean that I was behind or missing out. I learned that I was simply running on my own time, creating my own memories and finding ways to create a life worth living for.
From a young age I have always been surrounded by all sorts of people, from my three siblings, and many cousins, as well as my friends, so I was rarely alone growing up. I shared a room with my sister, I watched tv with my family, and did everything in the presence of company. That changed quickly as I grew older. I went from being sociable to becoming quiet and introverted. Learning how to enjoy my own company was something that took me years to learn. It took me even longer to find peace in solitude. I was reclusive and spent most of my time in high school alone in my room on the internet doing nothing. The only time I left the house was to go to work or go somewhere only if I was invited. Too many times I give up on plans because I couldn’t find anyone to go with, but now I have learned to do things even if it meant doing it alone.
The important part of enjoying one’s own company is realizing you don’t need to wait on anyone, you can go see that movie you’ve been wanting to see, go to the new coffee or try that new restaurant you have been meaning to go to since they opened. The point is, just because you can’t find anyone to do an activity with you doesn’t mean you have to miss out on it. There is no shame in seeing a movie alone or going out to eat alone. It’s okay to be alone. Finding comfort in solitude means being happy with yourself. So don’t let shame stand in the way.
In order to become content with solitude you have to learn to do things shamelessly alone. No one cares. Stop comparing yourself to people on the internet, stop waiting for the right time and the right people and start living your life. Take yourself out on a date, go shopping, eat out alone, go on a walk, be your own friend. The point is, just because you’re alone doesn’t mean you have to experience chronic loneliness. There is peace in being alone. Being alone doesn’t have to be synonymous with loneliness. Learning to find comfort in your own company is an important part of practicing self-love.