There’s no doubt living alone has its perks. You can do whatever you want, whenever you want, and you have no one else to please but yourself. Want to watch Netflix until 2 a.m? Go for it! Did you make a mess in the kitchen? Who cares, the space is all yours.
However, like most things in life, living alone does have its disadvantages. You could go days without seeing anyone, you have no one to talk to after a stressful day, and there’s no roommate to help out with the cleaning (major downside).
Whether you’re pro living alone or are still getting used to the idea, feelings of loneliness are totally normal. Here’s how to embrace living alone and swat away any negative feelings, should they ever arise.
Take Care of Your Space
We’ve all been spending a lot of time inside our homes this year, so make sure you actually like the space you’re in. You don’t want to live in a space that feels drab and depressing, right?
Make your bed every morning, clean up after yourself, and add things to your home that bring joy. Grab a new plant, add a pop of color to your wall, or purchase a delicious-smelling candle… really anything that’ll brighten the space and elevate your mood.
Have a Schedule
In order to feel like you’re not doing life alone, try your best to maintain a schedule. Wake up at a certain time every day, plan your trips to the grocery store, make sure you get in enough exercise, and get to bed at a reasonable time.
Having a routine helps us to feel motivated and gives us a purpose throughout the day. If it helps, keep a planner or calendar and write your daily schedule there.
Set Up “Dates” Throughout the Week
If you’re starting to feel like you haven’t had a real conversation in days (sorry, but the barista at your local Starbucks doesn’t count), set up “dates” with friends. Plan to run with a buddy twice a week, find a place to volunteer, or even invite a friend over every Monday to watch The Bachelor, if that’s something you’re into.
Another idea is to find a side hustle that gets you out of the house. When I was living and working alone, I decided to pick up a retail job in order to get out of the house and be around people. I only worked 10 hours a week, but it was a great way to meet new friends and stay social. Plus, having extra money never hurts!
Say Yes!
Instead of turning down social invitations to spend another night alone in your apartment, do your best to say yes to life. If a friend invites you to a party, go! Yes, it may be awkward or uncomfortable at first, but you never know who you’re going to meet.
The more you say “yes” to social invitations, the more social opportunities will open up for you. Force yourself to do things out of your comfort zone. I promise it’ll be worth it!
