People often believe in the notion that one has to be around others to be able to enjoy themselves. But there are many people, like me, who love spending time with themselves. This in no way means that I don’t like being around other people; I enjoy the company of my friends and family a lot. However, I also love devoting at least some time in a day to myself. It doesn’t matter what I do: read a book, listen to music, or even contemplate about the mysteries of the universe; the point is that I get to be with my thoughts. While it may seem like this has a lot to do with people being introverted, that isn’t necessarily the case. I’m pretty sure that even the most extroverted people need a break every once in a while, and for good reason. A few benefits that I’ve noted include:

1. Introspection: Uncertainty can be scary. Introspection can help you arrive at solutions for your own problems. Moreover, it can help you understand yourself better. It makes you aware of strengths you didn’t know you had and weaknesses that you need to work upon.

2. It helps clear your mind: Your mind needs a break. Whether you’re a teenager or an adult, we all have busy lives and often don’t get time to just breathe. If we make it a point to do something that we really enjoy by ourselves for at least a small amount of time in a day, it will definitely replenish our mind which will help us focus better.

3. Improves your relationship with others: When you understand yourself better, chances are that you’re going to make better decisions about the kind of people you want to surround yourself with. Being by yourself also helps you appreciate the people that you have in your life. Distance definitely makes the heart grow fonder.

4. Helps in meeting new people: Spending time with yourself does not always have to mean sitting at home. You can also try new things by yourself. Traveling by yourself, for example, can expose you to all kinds of different people and may even help you find people who are similar to you in more ways than one.

5. Puts things into perspective: It helps you prioritise your activities and maybe even the people in your life. It also helps you realise what you need to worry about and what you can let go of.

People often feel guilty about taking time out for themselves because they feel that in doing so, they’re ignoring their family and friends. Stop feeling guilty and take that break. Your friends and family will understand that you need a few hours to yourself. It does not make you a bad person. So, if you haven’t already, spend time alone so you can experience the benefits for yourself.