Hi friends! So glad you have a second in your busy day to read this!
Through the huge transition of being constantly surrounded by people who know me and that I constantly was with, to being completely independent while making very new and different connections, I have been able to learn so much about the joy of alone time and being your best friend. For those of you who know me, I am a very social person, and I really could talk to people all day long and be unexhausted socially. Being in a position where this of course was not an opportunity, I have seen so much purpose in just being with my thoughts, opinions, ideas and loving every minute of it. Finding a new destination of the city by asking locals, reading confusing signs and listening to a good podcast has been so sweet for me to really find a lot of contentment and excitement in just being alone. Through listening to Dr. Caroline Leaf’s valuable information on The Mindbodygreen podcast, I was shocked to find out that full hearted acceptance of yourself and your identity was as significant as connection to other people in finding happiness. I started to wonder about how us living with that perspective could change the way we experience our day-to-day routines and connections. I think that the joy of a deep and loving relationship with ourselves could transform a busy and cold world one of compassion and grace.
Of course, we will inevitably be alone for some hours in the day to cook, clean, work, study, etc… but I recognize so much significance in intentional alone time to reflect or do something you love in solitude. This may look like taking a day trip somewhere, going out to eat by yourself, going on a long walk, journaling or anything that makes you feel like you.
My personal favorite memory in which I was able to cater my relationship with myself during my time abroad has been through taking the train to a city called Badalona, packing my lunch, books, journals, air pods and phone, and getting off the train with no agenda or knowledge of anything in that city. I was able to walk around the quaint neighborhoods, observe the unique silent nature, and then find a quiet sandy spot to just sit and be. It was absolutely freeing to create an externally quiet space to be with myself, in such an intentional and unrushed manner.
My favorite memory of all time with my intentional alone time was last March when I was able to stay in Santa Cruz alone for a week during my Spring Break. I did a 48-hour digital detox and filled my time with restful, soul-filling things. To say the least, that 100% sparked my passion for having a deep relationship with self and incorporating activities in my regular life that match those values.
Finally, I want to ask YOU how you cater your relationship with yourself, and how you love yourself daily. Sending you all many hugs from Barcelona!
Xoxo-Holly
Girl takes world. 