It’s a Thursday night, you’ve finished your schoolwork for the day and your friends are busy until the weekend. So, what do you do? You could pick up an old hobby or maybe cook a big meal, but it’s just not the same. It can feel upsetting when you can’t do what you wanted to, but that doesn’t mean you still can’t find something fun to do!
Whether it’s rest, relaxation, or fun, spending time with yourself doesn’t have to be boring. Betterhelp shares helpful tips to become more comfortable spending time with yourself. Here are some highlights:
Plan Ahead
Come up with a plan on how you want to spend your time. This ensures you know what you’re going to be doing. This can also benefit people who enjoy checking off to-do lists. For example, write down your plans on a calendar like this:
This is simple and gets the point across. You don’t need to plan it like a meeting, but it is helpful to know what activity you’re thinking of trying.
Start Slow
Since this might be out of your comfort zone, it could feel a little awkward at first. Spend time alone in small time frames at first to avoid overwhelming yourself and giving up. Spend some time doing activities by yourself that you typically do not (for me this would be shopping at the mall or playing Mario Kart), and with time you will feel more comfortable doing things alone. This doesn’t mean you have to do things alone, this is just to help you feel more comfortable for when you do these things on your own.
Try Something New
Trying new things can be scary, but it is also a great way to keep your mind busy. If you have always wanted to try doing a Rubix cube, borrow or buy one, start watching a YouTube tutorial, and give it a go! This is ideal for people who dislike awkward silence or tend to overthink when your brain is not active. If you feel nervous thinking about eating at a restaurant alone or seeing a movie by yourself, you don’t have to try this yet, remember to start slow first.
Use the Time to Relax
This is the perfect opportunity to use your time to rest and relax. This could be taking a bath, putting on your favourite playlist, or going for a walk. If you’re always on the go and feel like you don’t have enough time to just recuperate, this could be a great way to spend your night.
Take the time you need for yourself and try your best to enjoy it. Being alone can feel unsettling, but it is also a great time to reflect and learn more about yourself. You deserve to have a good time relaxing, reading comic books, solving a Rubix cube, and doing everything that brings you enjoyment.
