- [Amanda] Hey, Psych2Goers
and welcome back to another video.
Thank you so much.
And your love and support has enabled us
to send your way another wealth of everyday psychology.
So, let's explore.
We are naturally social beings.
Society encourages your evolution
and heeds you to not be alone.
Social ability ensures survival,
and it also makes you feel good.
So, it's no wonder that for some of us
the thought of being alone terrifies us.
But as David Whyte once said,
"Sometimes it takes darkness
and the sweet confinement of your aloneness
to learn that anything or anyone
that does not bring you alive is too small for you."
Your aversion to solitude can be a result of stigma
or a tumultuous childhood.
For example, narcissistic parenting.
Perhaps, it's because you often conflate
loneliness and solitude.
Loneliness is a negative state marked by isolation.
Whereas solitude is being alone without feeling lonely.
But, regardless of the reason
having time alone can be beneficial.
During this time, surely many of you have had to adapt
to a life alone in your homes.
At first, loneliness can seem terrifying and isolating.
But, solitude should not be feared.
Many discoveries lie in wait when you take time to be alone.
Here are six ways you can enjoy solitude.
Number one, self-reflect.
Am I holding onto something that does not serve me?
Am I living intentionally
or what matters most to me in life?
These are just some examples of the answers
your solitude can fetch for you.
Time alone affords you time for self-reflection
and self-healing.
In solitude, you can turn inwards
and assess your needs and thoughts
and find solutions to pressing problems.
Solitude helps you achieve a degree of mental clarity
that you might not have been aware that you needed.
Number two, find joy.
How often have you had to make the choice
between turning in early or pulling an all nighter
on a weekend?
One way to make use of alone time is to find joy.
Often were bogged down by all the things that we have to do
and we push aside what we want to do.
Finding joy can be taking some time
to meditate on your thoughts and emotions
or doing something you actually want to do.
In the process of exploration and discovery,
be grateful for the solitude.
It can include starting a happiness journal
where you occasionally write down things bring you joy.
Number three, nurture your hobbies.
This is perfect time to pick up the hobby
you never seem to get time for.
Like, water coloring or practice the piano
like you've always yearned to.
Having or taking some time to be alone
allows you to explore or re-explore those things
you were once interested in but did not have time to do.
Nurturing your hobbies not only increases your skill levels
but forces you to engage creatively in something,
which in turn helps your brain's development.
Number four, take time for self-care.
What is your ultimate go-to self-care?
Have you sorted out your winter wardrobe yet?
Self-care comes in many different packages.
For some it's a physical practice, soaking in a hot bath,
painting your nails or doing your hair.
For others, it means disconnecting from social media,
practicing yoga or cleaning.
It's important to take time for self-care.
Engage in whatever form of self-care you need.
Not only will it give you something to do,
but it will instill within you a sense of calm.
Number five, learn something new.
Is there a new language you've been wanting
to learn forever, perhaps a recipe you wanted to try
but never had the time for.
Solitude is a great opportunity to learn something new
whether you're learning a new language or a new skill.
Productively engaging your mind for the sake of curiosity
is a wonderful way to spend time alone.
Learning something new
will not only make you feel more confident in your abilities
but also help you create a buffer against stress.
Recent research found that engaging
in learning activities helped workers create a buffer
from detrimental effects, such as negative emotions,
unethical behavior and burnout.
And number six, play, dance.
As you get older, does it seem like you're slowly losing
your childhood sense of wonder and excitement over things?
Do you miss engaging in activity for the sake of activity?
When was the last time you did something
just for the sake of doing it?
It's been awhile, hasn't it?
Play grounds you to the present,
while being in the present, the past, the future
and all of their worries dissolve.
There are many spiritual, emotional
and mental benefits to play.
The most beneficial is how it reduces stress.
As a full fledged novice adult,
play may seem like a waste of time.
And even if you are intrigued by the idea,
how would you even play?
Well, one way is to develop
and retain your sense of wonder.
Get curious about even the simplest things,
that is the essence of childhood.
Solitude is not just a moment in time,
it can also be a state that you go into
to find answers about yourself and the world around you.
There are many ways to find solitude.
On a hike, in between the lines of poetry
or during meditation.
Being alone does not have to be scary,
it's a part of your journey back to your true self.
It is worth the time,
investing in knowing yourself a bit better,
an opportunity to nurture love, find joy and get curious.
We hope we were able to give you insight
into some of the ways you can enjoy solitude.
Do any of these describe your experiences?
What are some other ways that you enjoy your solitude?
Leave a comment down below
about your experiences of solitude
and please feel free to share any thoughts you have as well.
If you found this video helpful,
be sure to hit the like button
and share it with those out there
who are still a stranger to the benefits of solitude.
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