You have a clear schedule. No plans, no one to see, and nothing but your own company to keep you occupied.
Do you see this alone time as a precious gift – or a daunting challenge?
One thing that might help is to see alone time as an opportunity to look after yourself, rather than entertain yourself.
Small doses of alone time can be good for your mind and body, giving yourself a much-needed break from the outer world, while giving your inner world space to flourish.
Here are five ideas for making the most of the alone time.
Cook yourself your favourite meal, or run yourself a bath and read a book. As a rule of thumb, look after yourself the way you would a house guest or a loved one.
In Japan, it’s known as ‘Forest Bathing’, which is a term for enjoying spending time outside amongst trees and nature.
There’s something about the smell in the air, the quiet, the natural sights, the lack of ringing phones and ongoing despair in the media. It’s no wonder time in nature has been proven to be great for you.
Whether it’s a walk, a picnic, or a spot of yoga, some time outside can do you a world of good.
We all have goals – big official ones, small unstated ones, and everything in between. What are yours?
Whether it’s learning a new language, finishing 20 books this year, teaching yourself how to play guitar, building a veggie patch, or repainting the spare room, there’s always something on the to-do list in the back of your mind.
And what better way to spend your time alone than working on those goals?
There are thousands of incredible podcasts out there that will stretch your mind and fill you with wonder.
Did you know that mushrooms might have the power to save the world? That the average honeybee will only make 1/12th of a teaspoon of honey in its lifetime? That there’s a planet out there called 55 Cancri e that may be made of diamonds?
Podcasts and videos make learning about these things fun – and can easily suck up hours of your time.
Embrace the fact that you are your own friend. That’s not a strange or embarrassing notion at all. Love yourself as you would your family. Be kind to yourself as you would to others. Make the time and effort for yourself, as you would for a dear friend. Hug and comfort yourself when you’re feeling down.
You might find it uncomfortable at first, but you may quickly warm up to the idea and simply enjoy the alone time doing something that makes you feel happy.