“Alone Time” Is Good for You

I have always shunned being constantly in search of social gatherings - people call me anti-social - but what they really mean is that my attitude is creating a nonconformist negation of their need to constantly interact with the same old people and retell the same old stories and slowly die of being bored with the same old life

Being alone always demands revisions and new ways of seeing - without the interference of inane chatter with the same old anecdotes and constantly repeated yarns - if you wish to be entertaining change the way you think - this will entertain both yourself and others - being alone is often masked by being with others - ultimately everyone is alone

I have noticed over the years when making a long, mundane trip at work or even in my own vehicle over great distances, especially here in the desert SW on lightly travelled rural highways, I would do some of my best creative and problem solving thinking. But as soon as I would get near a town and traffic, POOF! That would burst my bubble.

I think this has to reflect on whether one is an Introvert or Extrovert. Now being an Introvert doesn't automatically assume you are shy or anti-social... It just means you draw your ENERGY by spending time alone. Whereas Extroverts suffer from FOMO (Fear of Missing out).

They get their energy by being around a lot of people and in social situations. They actually have anxiety if they are fearing they are missing out on something else going on, whereas we Introverts can handle people in small doses and if it requires spending more time than we are comfortable with we may suffer anxiety from too much overload! It also just means we will need a day or so recuperating and being by ourselves to re-charge our batteries.

Extroverts get their "batteries" charged by being around a lot of high activity and around a lot of people. Introverts, on the other hand, get our batteries charged by spending time alone. Make sense?

Philosophy of 'Advaita' or 'Non duality' as popularly known in the west, states that our existence as an individual or 'I am so and so' is an illusion. This false 'I' sense or 'ego' appears and hides our true identity as the infinite being, in the same way as the illusory snake appears and hides the rope in the darkness.

When the false 'I' appears, it concurrently gives rise to the 'others' with a feeling of separateness as it's tangled complimentary counterpart. And when there is separateness, there is fear, anxiety, conflict, hatred, jealously, attraction etc etc.

Self-inquiry is an investigation in to the nature of false 'I'. It is finding out who we truly are. If and when such an inquiry is successfully concluded, we realize our true nature as the infinite impersonal consciousness free of limitations and where the unity of being is actualized.

This is the true fullness without any fragmentation, love without the duality of attraction and hatred. This is the true meditative state which is always ON without the need of any efforts.

This is truly being alone without the loneliness!

Disclaimer: The information on this POST is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional advice. The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. All content, including text, graphics, images and information, contained on or available through this article is for general information purposes / educational purposes only, and to ensue discussion or debate.

Thank you …I would find it difficult to feel lonely when I have so many blessings, beautiful surroundings, meaningful work and people who love me even if I am not constantly surrounded by them.

Sometimes, I think of heaven as a fabulous library with an easy chair and a quilt that opens into a garden and forest. Maybe this is because so much of my life is busy that I relish such quiet moments.

I guess we all need balance in our lives and a time to recharge our batteries. However, I often feel I am allergic to civilization and the accoutrements of civilization. So, maybe I just need more quiet time (alone) than others.

Want to add word or two?

I think it comes down to choice as to its effect on the individual. Some people choose isolation because that's what they prefer, and, for them, it's a good thing. Some have little to no choice, and that usually has to do with state of health.

To these, it's anything but good. I think most people prefer others' company (of like mind) with occasional isolation rather than the reverse. I used to be (and still am inside) a major extrovert as I love people,

I love learning from their experiences, hearing their views, just having fun with other human beings.

Your comment ….?

Alone too much...then cut off from Society. Pets may help, but people talking to others...get feedback/praise/love/connection/touch/hug if in person/can understand self-better as they talk with others.

Staying in the present instead of analysing always or worrying/stress may help.

Making memories instead of reliving past memories is real living.

When I go out in nature it is like really living. Praying alone may help. Some pray with a partner.

A balanced life with people/alone/work/play/helping others and help self may help. Unbalanced life...hurts.

Sitting around is not good, but also 90 hours of work each week is not good.

Taking care of health/sleep/exercise/diet is needed. When health goes...all goes.

Spiritually/emotionally healthy is also needed

Limiting self/self-sabotage/getting in own way/unforgiveness to self or lack of self-love ...then it limits what we can give to others. You teach what you live.

 Your life is a sermon without words. If you hate the "dark side" you may get on the "dark side". Instead of fighting/hating the bad...be pro the good. Focus on the good....spiritual warfare. You may attract more of what you focus on...fears/good/problems/worries.

 Cleansing the self emotionally helps.

Occasional loneliness helps me to clear mind, think over important things and create new ideas. But I'm aware that number of people really can't stand alone time 

People who are pathologically narcissistic or pathologically co-dependent can't stand to be alone.

Someone who is able to spend time alone in full contentment is fully able to offer love to another, because they are able to share space without "needing" another person.

Of course we are social beings with desires for social contact. But there is a difference between wanting to share space and wanting to "feed energy" off of another. 

It is hard to find good friends. To me we come into this world alone and old age maybe alone and die alone.

We are alone in a crowd and alone in our own opinions.

We are alone. Have to parent ourselves when older. Real friends...hard to "find”. Many use people or have drama or different hobbies/dreams/goals/ideas/thoughts/opinions.

If alone time isn’t a regular part of your day, you may wonder how you can carve out this time… and what, exactly, to do with it. You can use it for whatever you want… exercising, reading, writing, doing hobbies, meditating… anything that gives you joy and a respite from the daily grind. 

Turn off distractions. Your phone, email, and TV can all interrupt your alone time.

Get up early. An extra half hour or hour in the morning can provide a quiet time for you to invest in yourself.

Close your door. If you work in an office, close your door, and if necessary, add a sign to it indicating you don’t want to be disturbed.

Use your lunch hour. Take your lunch outside and eat it on a park bench or go for a solo walk.

Schedule it. Whether it’s 15 minutes before bed or an entire day once a month, schedule alone time into your calendar so you’ll always have time for valuable solitude.