Spend Time Having Fun With Yourself!
The one thing nobody tells you about before your first day of freshman year is how much time you’re going to spend by yourself. All of the excitement of being in a new place, meeting what feels like a million people within a week of being there, and figuring out how to eat all three meals a day without a parent there to remind you; nobody tells you how much you’ll be alone.
Well, if I am being honest, being alone hit me hard. After settling into a daily schedule, things got easier, but I still had a hard time just coming up with things or tasks to distract myself with that didn’t require the presence of another person.
take a walk
One of my favorite things to do, even in the cold, was to take a walk to the end of Picnic Point. I’d grab my headphones, my favorite book, a blanket, and take myself to a peaceful place on campus where I knew I’d be alone but a place that felt open and peaceful. Staying in your dorm whenever you have free time just makes you think about how alone you are. So get out of that room and spend time in a new, open space!
get creative
A super easy way to, one, calm nerves, two, distract yourself, and most importantly three, spend time with yourself is through art. Now I know art is not for everyone, but I count this as literally creating anything, even a new Spotify playlist with a very oddly specific title. Spending time painting, drawing, or doing something creative to keep the mind at ease is a great way to spend time alone.
make your favorite dish
The best way to be alone is with a huge pan of brownies or cookies, and spending some time making and trying to figure out a new recipe is just the right medicine when you have the time but don’t have anyone to do it with. My personal favorite thing to do is try and recreate the oatmeal chocolate chip cookies from Potbelly.Â
Being alone isn’t a bad thing. Everyone spends most of their time by themselves, it’s a part of growing up when you have finally reached a new phase of life. I know it is scary and can feel so overwhelming, but when you think of being alone more as taking time for yourself, you’ll realize you’re actually your favorite person to be with!