For Extraverts, alone time can be a scary prospect.
While most people are comfortable spending short periods of time alone, it can be hard to get used to being alone if you’ve always surrounded yourself with people. Whether it’s friends, family or city crowds, the contrast is still the same. When you’re on your own, you can feel very alone.
If you’re working on spending more time alone and getting comfortable with alone time, these 10 tips and ideas are for you.
1. Move your body
When you’re getting used to alone time, the easiest thing to help you focus on the benefits and make you feel less lonely is to move your body in some way.
Movement like dancing, running and swimming are all brilliant ways to spend time alone without feeling like you’re just staring into space in an empty house or apartment. They help you focus your mind and feel productive at the same time, with the added benefit of working on your health and fitness.
Get out and get moving to help you feel great and get those good endorphins flowing. You’ll be crushing your alone time in no time!
2. Go to a museum or a gallery
If the idea of being alone seems daunting, a fun activity to try is a solo trip to a museum or a gallery. Technically it’s still alone time, but you have the comfort of having people around you, too.
A museum or gallery trip is the perfect way to expand your mind and spark your curiosity. There’s also no better place to be alone. You can look at the exhibits without feeling awkward and keep loneliness at bay by learning something new about a topic you love.
3. Write a letter to a friend
Alone time doesn’t have to mean ignoring the outside world. Try picking a friend and writing a letter to them. You could tell them about what’s been happening in your life or share how much they mean to you.
Letter writing is an ideal way to spend alone time as an Extravert because it’s a solo activity that still has a sociable end goal. Even though you’re not hanging out with your friends directly, you’re still doing something to strengthen and nurture your relationships.
If you’re an Extravert, you probably have quite a few friends to choose from so why not write a collection of letters? It’s a perfect way to ace your alone time and help your friends feel loved and appreciated in the process!
4. Spend time in nature
If you’re looking for a calming, soothing experience during your alone time, why not spend some time in nature?
For Extraverts, alone time can be hard to come by as you’re always making the next plan to go out and dealing with tons of tempting invites from friends. To crush your alone time and focus your mind, try to schedule a nature day in your calendar.
Get out of your usual surroundings and explore somewhere new. Drink in the sights, sounds and smells of nature and awaken your senses to the world around you.
Being alone in nature is a totally different experience to being surrounded by people so give it a try and see how you feel - you never know, it might be your new favorite activity!
5. Have a tech free day
In the world of smartphones, you’re never really alone. Everyone you know is always just a few taps away.
To truly make the most of your alone time as an Extravert, try switching off your phone for the day. Having a tech free day is a top strategy to help you reconnect with yourself and reset the balance in your life.
It’s only when you don’t have your phone and other digital technology that you can truly appreciate how much time you spend using it. A digital detox can help you take stock of your social world and your daily routine, giving you a chance to step away and reassess your habits. Now that’s crushing your alone time!
6. Do something artistic
How often do you let your creativity run free when you’re alone? Many of us might use creativity in our jobs or get into creative activities with friends, but far fewer try it when we’re alone.
If you find yourself facing down some extended alone time, try doing something artistic for a change. You could paint, draw, sew, carve something - the possibilities are endless. It doesn’t matter what you do, it just matters that you do it alone. Don’t worry, you can still post the photos of your amazing creations when you’re finished so all your friends can see.
7. Pamper yourself
Alone time is ideal for self-care activities that involve pampering yourself from head to toe. While spa days with your friends can be fun, if you’re an Extravert trying to get used to being alone, try to recreate the feeling at home.
You could run a bath, do your nails, try a new face routine – whatever it is, try to appreciate the experience of being alone for a whole day and looking after your body in a different way. You’ll be left feeling rejuvenated, nourished and ready for anything.
8. Take a class
You know that cooking class you always wanted to try? Or that kickboxing class you never got around to taking? Use your alone time as a chance to start.
If there’s a new hobby or experience you want to have a go at, find the time to do it when you’re alone. You can always invite your friends to join once you’ve tried it once, but to really step out of your comfort zone, try to go alone.
Alone time doesn’t have to mean sitting at home doing nothing, there are loads of different ways to enjoy your alone time and open yourself up to new experiences.
Read to go it alone?
Alone time as an Extravert can feel really strange and a bit unnerving, especially when you’re not used to it. But just because you’re alone, it doesn’t mean you have to be lonely. There are lots of activities and ideas you can try to help you embrace your alone time and get used to being with just me, myself and I.
Try these tips to help you crush your alone time as an Extravert and (re)discover the joy of being alone.
