This post is for anyone who has a hard time doing things on their own, gets anxious or worried about doing things on their own, or doesn’t even know how to start doing things on their own.
It’s easy to get stuck in the mindset of not being able to or not wanting to do something if you don’t have someone else to do it with. It can be intimidating or overwhelming to do things without others, but there are ways to do it at your own pace and in your own time.
Maybe there is something you have been wanting to do, but you have been waiting for someone else to do it with. It could be a pottery class, kayaking lessons, taking a road trip, going to a museum, volunteering at a shelter, or attempting to make homemade ice cream.
If there is something you have been waiting to do, consider this an invitation, a sign, or encouragement to make a plan and do it on your own.
- It’s a chance to do your own thing at your own pace
- It gives you time to check in with yourself
- It can get you out of your comfort zone
- You learn to trust yourself
- It can help you can form a positive relationship with yourself
- It can help you have better relationships with others
- You aren’t waiting on someone else to do something
It’s a chance to do your own thing at your own pace
Choosing what you do and being able to do it in your own time can be freeing. It gives you the ability to be spontaneous without needing to check in with anyone else. If you’re at a museum and come across an exhibit that strikes your fancy, you can spend extra time there. If you’re not enjoying a hike you can turn around and do something else.
You may not know anyone who is interested in some of the things you want to do. Instead of bringing someone along who doesn’t share your excitement, do it on your own. You get to focus on how much you are getting out of the experience and not how much someone else is liking or not liking it.
Maybe you’ve always wanted to do a wine tasting, but no one you know is all that interested in wine. This is your chance to have a fulfilling experience on your own.
It gives you time to check in with yourself
So much of our lives we are doing things with others or for others and we don’t often take the time to think about what it is we really like to do.
This gives you an opportunity to see how you are feeling both physically and mentally. When you think about what you want to do it can help illuminate what you need right now.
If you want to go get a massage, maybe it’s your body telling you it needs to relax. If you want to go for a hike, maybe your body is saying you need to get out and moving. If you’re having a hard time concentrating maybe it’s time for a drive and new surroundings.
Our body is always trying to communicate with us and we should take the time to listen to it.
It can get you out of your comfort zone
The further you get outside your comfort zone the more you learn not just about yourself but of the world around you. Being open to new places, people, and experiences can help you grow as a person.
If you’re not accustomed to doing things on your own or the thought of it causes you some anxiety, make it a gradual process. You don’t have to start by doing things far from home. You can begin by taking a lunchtime walk or finding a quiet place to read. Slowly get comfortable with being on your own.
You learn to trust yourself
When you are on your own you call the shots and make decisions. If you’re used to doing these things with others it may take some time to get comfortable doing it on your own. It can feel intimidating to be the one in charge and you may worry about making the wrong decision, that’s totally normal. As with any new experience it takes time to figure it out.
This opens you up to navigating situations you have never been in before. It can be scary to do things on your own, but you will learn how strong, resilient, and resourceful you can be. Instead of relying on others you will build up your own strengths and skills.
As you start to make your own decisions and work through challenges on your own, you build trust in yourself. You will learn that when the going gets tough you have your own back and you will be there for yourself. You learn to trust your own judgement and the choices you make.
It can help you can form a positive relationship with yourself
Being able to be on your own helps you become comfortable with yourself. Knowing that you can do things on your own provides you with an inner strength. It helps you realize that you can enjoy being on your own, you can do things alone, and you can trust that you will be there for yourself when there are bumps in the road.
You will gain insight into what you like and don’t like. By being able to focus on yourself and how you are experiencing situations you can better understand the person you are and the person you want to be.
It gives you a chance to be open and honest with yourself. You become vulnerable as you put yourself in new situations and this help you put down your guard. You learn how to do things on your own but also how and when to ask for help. You become open to the good and bad parts of yourself. Be happy with the good parts and determine the journey you need to take to work through the bad parts.
It can help you have better relationships with others
The better relationship you have with yourself the better relationships you can have with others. Having a sense of self and not always depending on others are important traits worth working on.
You gain confidence in who you are as a person and the abilities you possess the more you do things on your own. You will have your own voice and experiences to speak on. The vulnerability you allowed yourself to have will help you be more aware of what others have gone through and are going through. You will see the journey you are on and realize everyone else is on their own journey.
Taking time to think through your thoughts and checking in with yourself helps you be the most genuine version of you. When we are at a good place mentally and comfortable with who we are, we are going to have better relationships with others.
You aren’t waiting on someone else to do something
Even if you have friends or family that share your interests, there are many reasons why you haven’t made plans yet. You many have different schedules or live far away from each other. Even if you have a shared interest it doesn’t mean that you need to do it together. You may be looking for very different experiences and neither of you would fully enjoy it if you tried doing it together.
Being comfortable doing things on your own means you’re not waiting around for someone else. It means you don’t have to miss out on opportunities if no one is able to join you.
If you want to see a movie and no one is available, you can see it on your own. If you want to take a trip and others don’t have the time, you can go on your own.