Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBenefitsPracticing SolitudeSignsSetting BoundariesThe Stigma of Solitude
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Benefits
Practicing Solitude
Signs
Setting Boundaries
The Stigma of Solitude
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Sometimes, the best way to find some much-needed peace is to take a step back and spend some time away from it all. A little alone time is a great way to reflect, recharge, and reconnect with ourselves.
Solitude offers an opportunity to connect with ourselves, our natural environment, or even our spirituality.—WHITNEY OTTO, MA, CPCC
Solitude offers an opportunity to connect with ourselves, our natural environment, or even our spirituality.
—WHITNEY OTTO, MA, CPCC
Finding five minutes to yourself is much easier said than done, especially when you’re always on the go for whatever event life throws at you next. Ahead, we explore how you can make the most of youralone time, plus dive into all the benefits of solitude.
At a Glance
The Benefits of Solitude
Tips for Taking Time for Yourself
How to Practice Solitude
Practicing solitude doesn’t have to be complicated, and it doesn’t mean cutting yourself off from the world. It’s more about intentionally carving out some alone time for yourself to recharge and reflect.
Here are some ways to practice solitude and get more comfortable with being alone:
Signs You Need Alone Time
Sometimes, we don’t realize that we’re in desperate need of some solitude until we’re feeling totally overwhelmed. Here are some signs that it’s time to carve out some alone time.
Listening to these signs can lead to a healthier balance in your life, says Cruz.
Sometimes, the demands of work, family, and social obligations make it hard to carve out time for yourself.Setting boundariescan be a game-changer, helping you cordon off some alone time.
Here are some practical steps to help you create and protect that space:
How to Set Boundaries With Your Partner
Overcoming the Stigma of Solitude
Unfortunately, the concept of solitude often has a stigma attached to it. For starters, it is often mistaken forloneliness.Furthermore, “we are socialized to think that wanting solitude means that there is something wrong with us—that we are antisocial or not skilled at making good connections,” Otto explains.
However, it’s important for us to distinguish between enjoying some alone time versus feeling lonely. Research shows us that reframing solitude as a beneficial experience can make a major difference in how we feel about it.Cultivating a mindful approach to solitude and viewing it as a form ofself-carerather than isolation can help shift the conversation, says Cruz.
Here are some strategies to overcome the stigma and start enjoying alone time:
Cultivating a mindful approach to solitude and viewing it as a form of self-care rather than isolation can help shift the conversation.—TATIANA RIVERA CRUZ, MSW, LCSW
Cultivating a mindful approach to solitude and viewing it as a form of self-care rather than isolation can help shift the conversation.
—TATIANA RIVERA CRUZ, MSW, LCSW
Takeaways
Savoring solitude isn’t about feelinglonely—it’s about getting comfortable in your own company, recharging, and finding peace in the pause. It’s time to recognize how precious alone time is and make it a priority.
Peace of Mind: How to Find and Keep It
2 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Rodriguez M, Pratt S, Bellet BW, McNally RJ.Solitude can be good-If you see it as such: Reappraisal helps lonely people experience solitude more positively.J Pers. 2023 Sep 19. doi:10.1111/jopy.12887
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