How to enjoy your own company is something many of us never learn. Our days are full of work, family and friends, so when we finally get time alone, it can feel strange or even a little lonely. But being on your own doesn’t have to feel that way. With a few small changes, it can become the part of your week you look forward to most.
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Begin with small moments
You don’t need a weekend away to spend time with yourself. Try going for a walk after work or having your morning cofee without scrolling . These short, quiet moments help you get comfortable with your own thoughts, and they make a bigger difference than you’d expect. If it feels strange at first, that’s normal. Like any habit, it gets easier the more you do it.
Take yourself out
Eating at a restaurant or going to the cinema on your own can feel scary, but it’s usually easier than it sounds. Pick somewhere you already love, like a café you’d normally visit with friends, and book a table for one. Take a book along if it helps you feel comfortable. Most people are too busy enjoying their own meal to notice you, and there’s something nice about ordering exactly what you feel like.
Do the things you keep putting off
Think about what you keep saying you’ll do “one day”. It could be a pottery class, baking your first loaf of bread, or finally getting through the pile of books next to your bed. Time on your own is the perfect chance to try these at your own pace, with no one watching. Even one Sunday afternoon spent on something new can leave you feeling more like yourself.
Go outside
Fresh air does wonders for your mood, and we’re lucky to have so many beautiful places to go. Whether it’s a walk along the beachfront, a stroll through your local park or an early Saturday hike, being outdoors gives your mind room to settle. Put on your favourite playlist or podcast and take your time.
Make your space feel good
If you’re spending the evening at home, make it a place you enjoy being in. Light a candle, put on a playlist you love, or run a warm bath and get into your comfiest pyjamas. When you treat a night in as something special, instead of a night with nothing planned, it feels completely different.
Start small, and enjoy it
Enjoying your own company doesn’t happen overnight, but it does get easier. Start with something small and build from there. The more you do things for yourself, the more you’ll find you don’t need anyone else to make your day feel good. Soon, your time alone might be the part of your week you look forward to most.
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