7 Tips for Being With Yourself (When You Live Alone)

Just because you live alone, doesn’t mean you have to feel lonely. Whether you live alone because you want to or because you’re forced to — you’re newly single or employed in a new city — living alone has its perks. Learn how to make the most of being with yourself and you may never want a roommate again.

1. Love Yourself, You’re Worth It

The best way to enjoy being with yourself is to love who you are. Practice the art of self-love, a state of appreciation for oneself that increases through actions that support your physical, psychological and spiritual growth. Stand in front of a mirror every day and say three reasons why you love being you. Focus on the positive aspects of your life and appreciate your health, beauty, skills and personality traits that make you who you are.

2. Recognize What Makes You Lonely

You should not only focus on what makes you happy but also the negative aspects of life in order to turn them around. Try journaling to understand what makes you feel sad or lonely when you are by yourself. It’s important to understand the reasons you feel this way and get ahead of negative thoughts before they become all-consuming.

People commonly feel lonely as they scroll through social media posts of friends surrounded by others and highlights of their day. To limit loneliness, try limiting the amount of time spent on these sites.

3. Appreciate the Present

Although your past helped pave the way to where you are today, forgive yourself for mistakes and learn from them. Mistakes and failures lead to growth and success in the future. Celebrate small victories in the present and enjoy your own company. Moments of reflection and silence can help you learn a lot about yourself.

4. Use Your Alone Time Wisely

You might be happy to binge-watch your favorite Netflix show for a few hours, but you’ll enjoy being with yourself more when you’re productive. Happiness is a fleeting emotion while meaningfulness creates a foundation in life. Put your energy into activities you’re passionate about, like volunteering or working on a new project, and you will cultivate meaning to your time spent alone.

5. Live a Healthy Lifestyle

Exercise regularly to keep your body in shape and stay energized throughout the day. Your brain releases chemicals like dopamine when you exercise, which improves your mood. Sign up for the gym or classes with a friend so you’re more motivated to stick with the workout. If you’re intimidated to begin a new program, start simpler with daily walks or follow YouTube tutorials.

Similarly, the food you eat also affects your mood. Heart-healthy diets that are high in fiber and low in saturated fat, such as salmon, avocados and almonds, are proven mood boosters.

6. Change Your Routine

It’s easier to feel like your days merge together when you’re stuck in a tedious daily schedule. Change up your routine — or at least make it a point to get out of the house each day — and feel refreshed. Visit a new place, try new food, start a new book or teach yourself a new hobby. The more outside of your comfort zone you are, the better. Exciting challenges, opportunities and people are closer in reach than you think.

7. Remind Yourself of the Benefits of Living Alone

Living alone means you are in a judgment-free zone. You can leave the dishes in the sink for another day and no one will nag you to wash them. Enjoy the freedom to be in complete control of your choices. How to decorate your space? You decide. What to watch? You decide. What take-out to order? You decide. Everything is up to you.

Comfortably being with yourself when you live alone starts with you so make the most of it. Love yourself to stop negative thoughts and use your time in a meaningful way while living a healthy lifestyle. Sometimes the best roommate is yourself.