10 Ways to Be Happy Alone and Live a Full Life
Can you live a fulfilled life being alone?
Although some people are content living alone, others miss the presence of others in their lives and long to be in romantic relationships. However, finding and maintaining love isn’t easy, and it’s definitely not for everyone.
For those who prefer to live by themselves, it can seem like happiness is impossible without another person to share your life with. The good news is that this isn’t true.
Here are 10 ways to be happy alone and live a full life no matter what your circumstances may be or whether you’re in a relationship or not.
“It’s easy to stand with the crowd it takes courage to stand alone”
Cultivate Gratitude
Gratitude doesn’t always come easy, but it can make you happier. Start by writing down what you’re grateful for every day. A positive attitude will help you bounce back from stressful situations, meaning it may be harder to upset or offend you (which is a good thing).
If you find yourself surrounded by negativity, whether it’s toxic people or frustrating circumstances, focus on what’s right in your life instead of getting sucked into the drama.
Being thankful for what you have also makes it easier to want to give back. Studies show that volunteers are happier than non-volunteers.
So get out there and do some good. It will do wonders for your mood and outlook on life.
Take Social Breaks
Social time is important, but scheduling time for yourself can be even more important. One of my favorite things to do on weekends is to go out with friends and family, but I also make sure that I have plenty of time alone.
Taking social breaks makes you healthier, happier, and less anxious. Plan some solo me-time in your schedule, or take an occasional full day off from being out with people — your loved ones will still be there when you get back.
Decide How To Spend Your Time
It’s easy to believe that spending time with people is what makes us happy. But it’s not true.
Research shows that socializing just isn’t as important as we think. In fact, being around people will make you happier only if you engage in enjoyable activities together, like playing board games or curling up with someone for an intimate conversation.
Alone time has more to do with your ability to focus on yourself and your goals than it does about being lonely.
The next time you feel guilty about taking some time for yourself, remind yourself that alone time lets you better spend your time when you are socializing with others.
Don’t Compare Yourself
It’s natural to compare ourselves with others, especially in social media-obsessed culture, but constantly comparing yourself with others only brings down your self-esteem.
Focus on your own life; you have enough going on without adding unnecessary stress. Focus on doing what’s best for you instead of living up to some warped standard created by society. You don’t need anyone else to be happy. You are enough all on your own.
Value Yourself Above Others
Before you can be happy, you need to value yourself more than others. Sure, it’s easy to get caught up in someone else’s life, especially when they are going through something challenging — but too often we forget that we have our own problems.
By getting caught up in other people’s lives, we neglect our own happiness. If you want true happiness, accept who you are and what you have already achieved before comparing yourself to others.
Also, remember that friendship comes from within; if someone is interested in your friendship, it is because they enjoy your company; therefore if that interest diminishes over time for whatever reason, then it is not about them but about how much value you place on yourself.
Let Go of Things You Can’t Control
Your happiness is not something that will be handed to you, so don’t sit around waiting for it. Instead, take matters into your own hands by making smart choices about what you’re going to do every day.
For example, make time for close friends and family members, because happy people tend to have strong support systems. Also, remember that if there are certain things in life you can’t control like traffic jams or last-minute work meetings.
That doesn’t mean they need to ruin your mood. Instead of sitting around worrying about what you can’t change, focus on making positive changes in your life that you can influence.
Seek Out Meaningful Relationships
Many people who live alone find themselves slipping into ruts. If you spend most of your time by yourself, it’s important to make an effort to get out and meet new people, it can give you new perspectives on life that could possibly inspire your creative side.
To meet new people, join social clubs (such as book clubs or sports leagues) or organizations that offer opportunities for community involvement. If you don’t have time for an organized group, consider volunteering with a local charity.
Another way of making meaningful connections is through dating sites like OkCupid or eHarmony where you can connect with other singles who share similar interests.
Remember: Just because you’re living alone doesn’t mean you should be alone all of the time.
Give of Yourself Without Expecting Anything In Return
Although relationships are wonderful, it’s important to remember that you are not defined by other people. In order to be happy alone, you need to be comfortable with who you are in all situations.
Give of yourself without expecting anything in return, but don’t feel like your needs are unimportant. Without them, it’s impossible for you to be a fully-functional individual.
As Emerson said: Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies. Try exploring various activities on your own so that when it comes time for friendships or relationships they will be more meaningful because they weren’t always part of your everyday routine.
Put Yourself First And Take Care Of Yourself First
Ultimately, you should be putting yourself first. That doesn’t mean that you should forget about your partner or friends, but it does mean that you can’t help anyone if you aren’t taking care of yourself first.
Taking care of yourself is important because it increases your own happiness levels, which will make you a better friend/partner/parent/sibling. Take time for yourself each day.
Go for walks in nature by yourself, practice yoga or meditate every morning, take on one hobby at a time (like photography or painting) rather than several so that you have more quality time with them, and eat healthy meals prepared at home so that you know exactly what ingredients are going into your body.
Love Yourself First and Live Your Best Life
When you’re spending time alone, you must take care of yourself. A great way to do that is by loving yourself first. Studies have shown that our thoughts affect our bodies and emotions, so when we focus on positivity we can feel better.
To help yourself have a happier day, start with a morning routine. What are your favorite things to do in your free time? Then, be kinder than necessary to yourself when it comes to your self-talk.
For example, instead of saying I can’t believe I didn’t get that promotion, say it would be great if I got it… but if not that’s okay too.
Final Thoughts
It’s not easy to be alone. One must, after all, constantly face their own presence day in and day out. It’s not easy at first but there are ways to make it easier.
By following these 10 tips you will have learned how to embrace your own company, overcome loneliness and reach your full potential as an individual.
To live life fully one must first accept themselves completely, good or bad. This is true for being single or married.
The goal is happiness both personally with who you are and what makes you happy but also for those around you whether that is friends, family, or significant others who want nothing more than your happiness. Reach out if need be.
