10 Ways To Enjoy Your Alone Time

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Being alone is one of those things that I'm pretty dang good at. I know, it's a weird thing to say, but it's true! I've found that people generally love or hate being alone, and it does normally have to deal with being an introvert or an extrovert. I'm not saying that's always the way it goes since I know plenty of extraverts who enjoy their alone time, but it's pretty much the norm. I personally love getting time to know myself and spend some time away from everything else in the world. 

In one of my classes this semester I learned that it's necessary for the brain to have some 'off time' where it doesn't have to think critically and interact with others. This gives your mind and body time to recharge and you get to learn more about yourself #TrueFacts. This basically means that everyone is in need of alone time. This was actually what inspired me to write this post! Like I said though, not everyone is great at spending time alone and often times you can feel bored or lonely if you don't know what to do with yourself. Here are my best tips for breaking those boring moments! 

1. Cook or Bake

Okay, I recognize that this one may involve some critical thinking, but this tip is all about having fun and getting creative. I'll sound like a huge nerd for saying this, but when I'm alone (and heck, sometimes when I'm with my closest friends) I'll cook or bake and pretend I'm on my own tv show. It's ridiculous and probably a little insane looking, but it's always a good time. Try out a new recipe from Pinterest or whip out a tried and true favorite that always makes you happy. Just don't try too hard of a recipe because cooking can also make you super frustrated at times!

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2. Organize

I love organizing, and sometimes this is my best tool when I really want to procrastinate on anything LOL. Seriously I can organize, reorganize, and re-reorganize my bedroom, pantry shelves, bathroom counter, you name it, and I won't get bored. Sure it can sometimes become a daunting task (like for instance if I had gone out the night before with a full face of makeup and left every last piece of makeup I own on the counter for myself to organize in the morning...) but it's always a great way for me to focus on something other than my own thoughts. Plus, if you're one of those people who can't deal with themselves alone for a second, this tip should keep you pretty busy all day!

3. Read

Reading has always been a pretty big hobby of mine since I was pretty young. (Unless you ask my parents who would say I didn't catch the reading bug until middle school, but they aren't here are they?) I always love to have a book on my nightstand and I've recently been trying to actively read for a half hour every night before bed. For times when I have the house to myself for the day, I also like to pull out my book of choice and just forget about the real world for a few hours. Does anyone else ever truly get lost in a good book? I feel like it's one of the best feelings! My favorite book overall is The Great Gatsby, but I also recommend the Shopaholic Series (currently reading) and Amy Poehler's Yes Please for some lighter reads!

4. Dance

Okay another dorky fact about myself, I throw solo dance parties ALL THE TIME. Literally the second everyone is gone from the house I break out the jams and bust a move. Yes, it looks just as bad as you're picturing. It helps to get me moving and is really just a blast! Right now I'm crazy obsessed with Harry Styles' new album although most songs aren't particularly 'dance-worthy' you should still give it a listen (even if you don't like One Direction it's a completely different sound!) and I also love the song I'm The One by DJ Khaled featuring Justin Bieber! (100% 'dance worthy' and I may have pulled something the other week dancing to this...)

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5. Workout

Want to pass the time AND be productive? Get some exercise in! I know it depends on the person, but I exercise so much better when I'm by myself. Partners can be great to motivate you to actually work out, but I'm just not as comfortable exercising when there's another person next to me. My competitive side normally comes out and I get frustrated when I can't compete. So I use my alone time to go for a run, lift some weights if I have them, or as I talked about above get a little cardio in with some dancing.

 6. Give Your Pet(s) Some Love

Sometimes when you're alone you want some form of company, so hang out with your furry best friend! I am one of those weird people who has conversations with my pets like they understand every word I say, and it definitely makes those lonely feelings melt away. (Do I sound like a crazy cat lady yet?) Cuddle up with your cat, dog, rabbit, llama, whatever and let them know that they're not alone either!

7. Go Through Your Stuff

Similar to organizing, but this time you have to decide if you actually want to keep all the stuff that you find in your house. I personally love going through my closet and beauty items because it makes me realize how many things I never wear/use. Go through what you think needs a look through (hint: pretty much everything) and sort items into three piles: keep, sell, and donate. It's more fun than it sounds and once again it will definitely keep you busy!

 8. Spend Time Outdoors

Clearing my head and getting out of the house are two of the key things that keep me sane when I have too much alone time. I have a nice big park a few blocks from my house so when I feel like I've been cooped up for too long I like to walk around and get some fresh air. Even though I'm not the biggest outdoors girl, sometimes you just need some sun and air to make everything a little better.

9. Educate Yourself

Have some extra alone time on your hands? Why not learn something new about a topic you're passionate about? If you're a blogger like me you could always delve into the terrifying world of SEO or learn more about the best ways to grow each of your social channels. (Psst have you checked out my Instagram Tips post?) Or what about that one lesson a teacher once lectured about that had you sitting at the edge of your seat? There are websites and books on pretty much every topic out there, so why not discover something new! One of my personal goals this summer is to spend my alone time finishing my Greek language Rosetta Stone course since I'm super passionate about the language. (I honestly don't have a good reason why, I'm just a Greek history nerd!)

10. Go To Target (or Your Favorite Store)

A trip to Target is always worthwhile to me. (I promise this isn't sponsored, haha!) I'm not sure what magical powers this store has, but I could spend hours in there and not get bored. If you're desperate for something to do in your alone time, take a trip to your local Target or your favorite store and just browse. No one is forcing you to purchase anything (although let's be honest you probably will make a pit stop in the dollar section and scoop up a few things) and you can just let yourself look at everything. Again, this is my last tip because it's kind of a last resort thing. If you are 100% not an alone time person and absolutely dread every other tip I've talked about hopefully immersing yourself in a public area can do the trick for you!

What are your favorite ways to spend some alone time?