With “social distancing” replacing “socializing” and governments around the world urging people to just stay home, current events have extroverts in a total panic. “Stay home??? But it’s so boring! How will we keep from going mad?” If thoughts like those are running through your head, you’ll want to stick around. We’re going to talk about some simple ways to embrace being alone and discover the positive side of all this “social distancing.”
How to Embrace Being Alone and Make the Most of Social Distancing
First, take a deep cleansing breath. Seriously, do it. Don’t just tell me you did! It’s going to be okay. You will get through this. We will all get through this together…well, just not too close together! As introverts around the world will tell you, being alone is NOT a bad thing. Staying in alone or with your family can actually have many fantastic benefits! So, let’s see how we can make the most of it.
Use this time to really bond with your kids (or yourself!)
Between work, school, after-school activities, play-dates, and just the general sense of urgency that comes with modern life, we rarely have enough time left over to just bond with our kids. Well, now we have nothing but time, so make the most of it! Eat dinner together every night (you have no excuse not to, now). Play board games together. Start a new family movie night tradition. Kids grow up so fast, so use this time to just revel in these amazing little beings that you created.
Even if you live alone, you’re not immune to the madness of modern life. When was the last time you really sat down and got to know one of the most important people in your life- yourself? Use this time to dig deep into the recess of your brain and dig out those passions that you put away because there was never any time for them. Start a self-discovery journal. Ask yourself those tough questions you’ve been avoiding, like, “Am I really happy with my job?” and “What do I truly want out of life.” Get in touch with your inner dreamer. She’s tired of hanging out in the back of your mind. Let her come out and play!
Tackle projects you’ve been putting off
From spring cleaning to all of those crafts you’ve saved on Pinterest for a rainy day to finally mastering the art of the meal plan, we all have projects that we say we’ll do “someday.” Well, my friend, “someday” has arrived!
Whether you tackle them as a family or on your own, starting and actually finishing a new project or reaching a new goal won’t just help you make the best of social distancing and embrace being alone, it’ll give you such a wonderful sense of accomplishment! That alone can help boost your morale and self-esteem.
For those who live alone, I have some more good news for you! A study found that you’re more likely to stick to your goal when you don’t have a supportive partner. Why? Well, turns out that a supportive spouse makes you more likely to procrastinate. Strange, but true! So, dig out that “to do someday” list and start tackling all those projects.
Tackle your “to be read” pile
Speaking of tackle monumental projects, I bet you have a pretty long “to be read” list loaded with “someday” books. If you don’t, then go ahead and make one! Think about all those reading challenges you’ve always wanted to try but never quite had time for.
Read your way around the world in 80 books, share your favorite childhood classics with your kids, start a family (or virtual) book club and create new themes every week. With all the panic-buying and madness happening right now, I recommend starting with books that teach kindness. We all need a little reminder to be good to each other, especially in a time where so many have an “I take care of me and mine” mentality.
One last tiny recommendation, though: give yourself permission to read “mindless entertainment” books, too. Sure, you’ve always wanted to tackle War and Peace or Anna Karenina just so you can say you read them but if your mind needs a break from all the seriousness of the world’s situation right now, go ahead and read that cheesy romance novel you’ve secretly been eyeing on your virtual bookshelf.
Challenge yourself (or your family)
I can’t even tell you how many of those “30 Day Challenges” I’ve seen and thought about how much fun they looked…if only I had the time to do them. Once again, you have nothing but time now. So, go for it! While you (obviously) can’t do the challenges that require you to leave your house, there are plenty of fun ones that will help you totally embrace being alone.
Write down something that you’re grateful for every day. Try a fun challenge where you photograph something you love in your home daily. Start a “30 days of new recipes” challenge. Hey, considering that there’s very little left in the grocery stores right now, that one may be a necessity, so might as well make it fun! My Passion Projects has a huge list of ideas, most of which you can do at home.
Write it down for future generations
I saw this on Facebook or Twitter (sorry, I can’t recall which) a few days ago and thought it was such a neat idea. Keep a journal about the events so that future generations can understand what it was like for the average person and maybe even learn something from us. You don’t have to write long entries about it, just jot down some thoughts and feelings. You’ll feel better getting them out of your head and onto a page.
If you have children, ask them to do the same. In their case, it’s not just beneficial for future generations, but for their sake, too. Kids may be worrying about things that we wouldn’t even consider. It’ll give you a better idea of what you need to talk to them about and which fears need easing.
Bottom line, it’s not hard to embrace being alone and find ways to make the best of a scary situation. You just have to be willing to do it. If you’re spending every moment thinking about what you’re missing out on or what could happen, you’ll drive yourself mad. Remember, like all things, this will pass. Stay healthy, stay positive, stay sane.
Dorothy Kelly says
What a great article. I am 78 years old, but don’t feel like. I belong to a church, a quilting group that has 2 monthly meetings. And I also make charity quilts. I am actually happy to have time to do those
things and catch up tv series
Creative Healthy Family says
Thank you for your comment.
Alice Broomhall says
Thank you we have alot to be grateful for. I am enjoying reading, sitting in the sun, talking on zoom to people I have known before. I am enjoying cooking again making healthier choices most of the time. I started gardening again got fresh tomatoes, fresh basil, oregano growing nice to see it grow and flourish as well as enjoy and being resourceful. Looking at the positive side instead of the negative. Most importantly prayer and meditation with my higher power and music which soothes my soul. I know we are never alone so just remember God loves you and so do I.💗
Lindsay Wilkinson says
Prior to lockdown being enforced,I had told my best friend that if my life of isolation (I have lived alone for 6 years in the latest bout; it’s 20 years in total) didn’t change for the better by the end of 2020,I’d kill myself.
I am not alone in living alone. Your platitudes might be really inspiring to those for whom staying home for a few weeks is a novelty but to me and the countless others, they’re a thorn in the side.
Sher says
I’m so sorry you’re going through such a difficult time. I truly hope you’re not serious about killing yourself. I know living in isolation is challenging. I can’t possibly know what you are having to deal with, but for me it was extremely difficult in the beginning. I’ve lived alone off and on a number of times throughout my life. Most of those years I was working, so I didn’t really feel like I was “alone.” But these last 8 years, although I don’t live alone, I feel alone. Isolated. My daughter and granddaughter live with me and my grandson just returned home a few months back. But even though they live in the same house, I rarely see them. I spend 98% of my time in my room, due to pain and illness. I have been dealing with some health issues nearly my entire life. When I was young, I was strong enough to push through and deal with it. I lived a relatively normal life. As the years progressed, I got worse and more health issues started piling on. On top of all that I had a serious car accident when I was 36 years old. They informed my family that I would not make it through and to start making arrangements. But I did make it through. My daughter was just a teenager and I wasn’t ready to leave her in someone else’s care. She was my responsibility. The left side of my body was paralyzed, but after surgery I was able to move again. There was nerve damage. I had to go through therapy and learn how to walk and use my hand normally again. But I felt so blessed that I had the use of my whole body again. Even if it was challenging. Anyway, 8 years ago my illnesses just flared right back up again. It just all came to a head. I was forced to stop working. I was forced to stop living the way I was accustomed to. I was forced to stop socializing. I’ve been to sick, to exhausted, in too much pain. Over these last 8 years I’ve been trying to figure out how to “live” this way. How to adjust to living in isolation. I spend the majority of my time watching tv, streaming videos on subjects I’m interested in on YouTube. Reading books, news articles, Facebook, Twitter. I play games on my phone and text back and forth with a couple of friends and with my daughter, from time to time. I don’t like talking on the phone. For me, text is preferable. I take great pleasure in my faith. I’m not a religious person, but I do believe in God, always have. I consider myself a spiritual person. Even though I have all these challenges going on I still know God is here with me, helping me. He’s never failed me. I do believe there’s a reason for everything, a purpose. I think this planet is a challenge, a school of sorts. We come here to learn about our selves and our fellow human beings. We learn how to be helpful, loving, patient. We learn empathy, caring, thoughtfulness and how to be giving and forgiving. We learn how all living things are connected. Some of us are successful at learning these things, some of us fail terribly and then there’s those of us who succeed with some and are still struggling with others. I don’t believe this is our true home. Our true home is on the other side. We only come here for our lessons. We are not these bodily shells. Our true bodies are our spiritual selves, our souls, if you will. So over these last eight years I have finally learned to enjoy my isolation. I enjoy all the little things I do and the programs I watch on tv. I especially enjoy learning about the subjects I’m interested in, such as archaeology, ancient history and some other things. I downloaded the Libby app so I could borrow books online to read. And I downloaded the Kindle app so I can read other books I’m unable to find at the online library. That is, when I have the money to purchase a book. That was another adjustment. I’m now on a fixed income. So money is a bit tighter than when I was working. But, I will not allow it to get me down. There are people who have no income at all. I feel so blessed and fortunate that I have my social security disability coming in. Anyway, I didn’t mean fo this to be so long! Sorry I rambled on. Basically I just wanted to let you know you’re not alone. I pray you don’t take your life. Perhaps you were just saying that as an expression of frustration, not literally. At least I hope so. Just keep in touch with your friends. Get involved in things you’re interested in that you can do or learn from home. Be there for those you care about, even if you can’t see them in person. I still have people in my life who text me now and then for advice, words of wisdom or just encouragement when they’re going through hard times. On very rare occasions, I may even get on the phone with them. You’re life matters, you’re happiness matters, how you feel matters. I wish there was something I could do or say that could make a difference for you. But ultimately, we create our own paths. Only we can make ourselves happy. It’s all in our mindset. It’s all in how we think and choose to live our lives. I wish nothing but love and happiness for you.
Fran says
I agree.. I’ve been living in my own world for over 18 yrs. No family friends nada..this is my norm and I’m sure lonely people. Welcome to our world
Jacqueline Swartz says
Isolation is very different if you share it with a partner. It is different too if you live in a spacious house with a garden. And no, I am not consoled by the remark about following through on activities being less successful if there is a loving partner.
Joan Stotko says
i WOULD LOVE TO TRY AND REACH FRIENDS FROM YEARS AGO. hOW DO i START?
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