In a society where it is often seen as selfish if you take time away from your family, it can feel difficult to set aside alone time for yourself. Although we are expected to constantly give and provide for others, we somehow feel guilty when we want a little time to take care of ourselves.
However, in an effort to become a better person it is one of the most fulfilling things you can do in life. Although often times people believe they need more interaction with others in order to become better and stronger. On the contrary, having more alone time is often more effective in becoming a better you.
If you really think about it, the old philosophy is a losing strategy. You need to have energy, love, and strength to be a better spouse, parent, and friend. The only way you get these things is by first taking care of yourself.
Granting yourself permission of having some time alone will allow you to do these things. Take care of yourself and you will better equipped to help take care of others.
Time for Take Off!
Have you ever been on an airplane? During the preflight instructions there is a great lesson to be learned about the importance of taking care of yourself. Have you ever thought about this?
When the flight attendant goes through the emergency instructions, they talk about exits, flotation devices, and lastly oxygen. In the event of an emergency, oxygen mask will drop from the overhead compartment.
Per the instructions of the flight attendants, you are supposed to put on your own mask before helping others. When you have oxygen flowing and you are taken care of, then you can help others.
The reason for this protocol is quite simple. If you can’t help yourself, you can’t help others. This is why focusing on yourself with alone time is so important.
Alone time is the valuable time when you can take care of your own wants and needs. It is your time to put on your oxygen mask to make sure you are taken care of.
Without it, you cannot become a better person. This precious time is life-giving and allows you to grow in a way that you cannot do when you’re solely focusing on others.
There are times in life that you need to be alone. While this might sound a little scary for some, you will be amazed by how much you will grow if you give yourself the proper amount of alone time.
How to Use Alone Time
While there are many ways you can use your time alone, there are a few things that are best done alone. Growing yourself is difficult. However, if you want to become a better person, you need to make it a priority.
Here are a few ways for you to use your alone time:
1. Self-Reflection
Do you ever stop and think if you are in the right place in life? Have you ever pondered if you were on the right path towards the destination you desire? Do you truly know yourself?
The hardest questions to answer often require the most amount of time spent alone thinking about the answers. Furthermore, they require you to create space and reflect on your life.
While these can be difficult thought exercise, they are a part of the most rewarding processes ever. However, you cannot accomplish this without creating space.
Give yourself the alone time you need. Write down questions you have always been curious about, and just think.
Reflect on your values. Discover what you stand for. Uncover if you are putting in the work to get where you want to go in life.
Here are some great questions to ask yourself:
- What are my values? Who do I want to be?
- What do I want my last job to be? Why?
- Am I happy? Why/why not?
- Am I being the best spouse I can be? How could I love deeper?
- What are 5 things I can do this month to help others?
There are hundreds of other questions you can ask yourself to become a better person. However, you need to give yourself alone time to think about these.
Create space and reflect. You’ll thank yourself later.
2. Personal Development
After you have given yourself time to reflect on life‘s questions, now is the time to create an action plan. You know who you are, what do you want out of life, and how to become a better person.
Now, it is time to put that knowledge to work. You can use alone time to personally develop yourself.
Personal development can mean a wide range of things for people. You can spend the time learning a hobby that you can make money, listen to podcast to expand your mind, or journal to create a stoic mindset.
How you spend the time is up to you.
Try to set aside at least one hour a day for alone time.
We all have busy lives. But what separates those who are happy from those who are not is the ability to live a balanced life.
Although you may not think it, you do have time in your day for alone time. You just have to make it a priority and utilize it.
You must find a way every day to work on you. One percent better every day and soon you will see how much better of a person that you become.
Here are a few great ways to find the time to get better.
- Use your car rides to work to listen to a podcast.
- Set time limits on your social media to ensure you have enough time for you.
- Schedule your days to create efficient routines, including penciling in ‘my time’.
- If you feel exhausted, take a nap. Getting sufficient rest is quality alone time that can make you a better and more productive person.
Use your time alone to develop new skills and learn new things. Or use that alone time to catch up on recreational reading or some much needed rest that will result in you being more productive when you need to be. When you allow yourself to have alone time, you will become a better person.
3. Physical Exercise
Many people have a goal to lose weight. However, often times you will give the excuse of not having time to work out.
This is where that alone time will make you a better person. Allowing yourself 1 hour a day to go work out, or to even take a walk, will not only make you healthier, but happier as well.
It is a win, win situation.
In a world where anxiety and depression are at an all-time high, one of the best remedies is physical exercise. Physical exertion creates a release of endorphins that boost your mood.
Join a walking group or a fitness club. Alone time doesn’t mean you have to be completely alone when you work out.
On the contrary, it is time that you grant to yourself to do what you want and/or need to do for yourself. Having a walking buddy or being a member of a cycling club can help you become a better person both at work and at home.
Find The Alone Time – Become a Better Person
In conclusion, strive to find alone time in your day. Create space to be alone. Additionally, use this time to reflect. Develop yourself and use it for physical exercise.
Finally, alone time should not be taboo. Make it a priority. Furthermore, put on your oxygen mask first before helping others. When you make time for yourself, you can then become a better person!
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