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Liverpool:  ELEANOR RIGBY – Statue dedicated to “ALL THE LONELY PEOPLE…”

ALONE, BUT NOT LONELY
Eight Signs You’re Not Lonely Even Being Alone (by  Jenny Marchal – abridged)

Loneliness is often thought of as negative. It’s defined as depressive feelings of being alone with lack of companionship and support. While it can be isolating for many, there is a difference between being alone and loneliness. When people talk of being by themselves as primarily a negative situation to be in, do you find yourself thinking, “But I quite like being alone?”

There are people who love going out and socializing but equally enjoy sitting alone in a room and being by themselves. The human species needs social interaction to survive, which is why there is the negative concept of loneliness. However, there’s great benefit to spending quality time on your own.

If you relish in your me time, you’ll identify with these 8 signs that you can be alone but not lonely.

1. You Have No Fear Of Your True Self

Just like spending time with a person allows you to get to know them on several levels, spending a lot of time on your own lets you do the same with yourself. You aren’t afraid to come face to face with the person you are and you feel comfortable knowing your true self.

2. You Know How To Love Yourself

You understand what makes you a great person, as well as the concept that what you do in your alone time reflects back on you. Being by yourself gives you a sense of independence from others that shows you that you don’t need anything or anyone outside of yourself to make you feel loved. Ultimately, you learn that it’s paramount that you create a loving relationship with yourself.

3. You Realize Being Alone Is An Important Life Lesson

There are many ups and downs in life. There are some where we seek support from people and others where we find ourselves being alone. It’s these isolating times that prepare you for the moments in life that call on you to deal with these (sometimes) lonely situations and allows you to cope with them much better.

4. You Have Your Real Passions

Many people feel the need to fill in the gaps in their day with others. But having some me time allows you to indulge in your passions, like reading, watching a movie you love, or going for a run.

5. You Are A Courageous Adventurer

There are many people who wouldn’t even consider going off and doing things by themselves, like eating in a restaurant, going travelling, or taking a day trip somewhere. Relying on other people’s company limits the possibilities of trying new things, whether it’s the music concert you want to go to or movie that no one else wants to see. Going off by yourself takes away the insulation that comes from constantly being with a companion or group of people.

6. You Value Your Freedom And Independence

Freedom is a wonderful thing. Being able to do what you want without someone else’s approval (or dependency) brings you a deep sense of joy and appreciation. You understand that having the space to move freely allows you to stand on your own two feet without relying on others.

7. You Have A Strong Desire For Self-Improvement

As a result of spending time with yourself and finding out who you are. you are more willing to search for ways to improve yourself. You are more likely to have identified which fears, anxieties, emotions, and perspectives that you feel could be dealt with and improved upon. Constantly spending time with people prevents you from creating  a space for you to go ahead and improve yourself for the better.

8. You Don’t Lie To Yourself

Many people tell themselves that spending most of their time with the perfect person is somehow beneficial, when really this causes problems such as an inability to be without them. If you know the benefits of spending time alone, you are able to see your relationships with others in a realistic and mature way.