There are many elements of living a good life, but the first and most foundational is to love yourself and enjoy spending time with yourself.
Go do things on your own so you learn to trust your mind and view it as a welcome companion. If someone declared, “Tomorrow you must spend the day alone” the hope is that you would reply, “That sounds like a good day!”
The person who is at ease within finds every other space larger and more enjoyable.
—James Clear
As a society we value extroverts and are suspicious of people who enjoy spending time alone. Not me! What about you?
July 25, 2025
I often enjoy people and definitely like collegial collaboration at work, but I don’t get my energy from people. I had a hard time when we recently had guests stay with us as one of them was up early, so I didn’t get my daily “me” time.
I should say I loved their company – no issue there – it was just interesting to see how I started to get very tired throughout the day.
🙂
…let the entire church say, amen!
🙂
I am something of a loaner. I has gotten yo an extreme since I shut down my horse business. I don’t fit in this community and the people who spent a lot of time here with the horses are gone. My comfort with being alone, or alone except for Mark, has deepened.
It’s a blessing to be able to enjoy it. Not everyone can.
Not me, either! I think (that) growing up as an only child better prepared me for enjoying my own company. Too much “people-ing” can be wearying.
Yes. 🙂
As Judy said in an email to a friend this morning: 95% of the time we’re home with nothing on the schedule. And most of that time, she’s in her room and I’m in mine.
For us it’s Andy up on the land and me down here. That could change, of course.
I agree with Myra, I grew up as an only child too so lots of things are easier, but some still are not.
I am an introvert myself
🙂
Seems that people who like a good amount of time alone are too often labeled hermits or introverts, or even anti-social!! As an only child, I am never bored and have no problem being alone. Not to say I would like to be alone all the time!
Oh goodness, I don’t see my comment, so I will type it again. Too often people who enjoy some alone time are labeled hermits or even anti-social. But being an only child, I am rarely bored and have no problem being alone. Not to say I would like being alone ALL the time, that might be tough.
Still don’t see my comments! Have you gone to comment moderation? If so, it will usually say that, but it did not.
I’m so used to sharing things with Dave I sometimes turn to tell him something even when he’s not here. I don’t hang out with anyone else, though. Large groups are exhausting and long visits are, as well.
That’s sounds like a great arrangement.
Since I spend the majority of my time alone I’m not the least bit suspicious of an introvert. I don’t mind being around extroverts but too much can be exhausting.
Yes. 🙂
I have always savored my alone time and needed it to refuel after people time. I enjoy people and am pretty outgoing when I am with them, but they drain me.
🙂
I am an extrovert and my husband is an introvert. He loves time alone. I like noise.
That can be hard sometimes as we get older.