Today, I wanted to discuss something that has been on my heart and that is that, there is a lot of value in spending time with other people.
My friends may or may not agree, but I would personally consider myself to be introverted. I usually recharge by being on my own, am practically silent in new crowds, and prefer to listen to others' stories over sharing mine--but even I get caught up texting people all the time, running here and there to meet with different people, doing my best to make good first impressions... Living on a college campus kind of forces you to be extroverted to some extent. But as I thought about it further, I began to notice a sense of fear--anxiety--growing inside of me. This fear is of being alone.
It's kind of scary to admit your own fears over the Internet, but yes. I've grown to be afraid of being alone. Of sitting alone at the dining hall for dinner, of standing in an elevator without looking like I have something to do or someone to text, of going to a community service event that nobody else will show up to, etc. Whatever it is, it's like there's this pressure to be with somebody all the time.
Loneliness, especially among my generation, is starting to look like a really bad thing. A thing that must be avoided at all times, or else everybody will think of you as some sort of social misfit.
What ever happened to solidarity? Meditation?
Consider the Transcendentalists, Romantics, Jesuits, Monks! These guys would go on lone retreats to mountains, lakes, forests, deserts, and temples just to meditate, to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Being alone isn't something so bad--there are some true pleasures of being alone.
You start realizing the beauty in everything. In nature, in your space, in other people, and (perhaps most importantly) in yourself.
Enjoy spending some time resting and relaxing, even if it happens to only be for a couple minutes. Love yourself a bit!
What are some benefits you see in spending time alone? Please do share in the comments!
Smile on,
-Riley XO
I like being alone, but yes, I feel the pressure of needing a companion when I'm at a specific event, like a party or a gathering. Otherwise, I'm fine being by myself at school or the library or a store (: idk about elevators though xD elevators are scary.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy to be alone, but not all the time. I consider Myself too as a introvert because I work better and make better choices when I'm by myself.
ReplyDeleteI find myself pretty introverted too. Sometimes everyone just needs some peace and quietness away from all the chaos. This is a beautiful post, love it!
ReplyDeleteJune
The Journeys' of my beating heart
Wow, thank you for your wonderful comments! I love hearing your guys' perspectives because loneliness is something I often wrestle with. It was refreshing for me to think about loneliness as an opportunity to grow. :)
ReplyDeleteThis describes me so well!
ReplyDeleteGoing to an event where nobody might show up is something that causes a little fear in me too mostly because you start thinking that others don't consider this as great/ popular like you do. But it isn't a bad thing. People should do what they like.
Great post!
-Kathie K
Thank you for your comment, Kathie! I definitely agree that we should start focusing more in doing what is best for us, and not be so constrained about what we fear others will think about us. We should live a life of love, not fear! :)
ReplyDelete