By If you’re the type who’d rather spend Friday night with a good book than hit the town, this one’s for you.
Being alone doesn’t mean being lonely, and for some of us, it’s actually pretty fantastic. (I’m one of those people myself!) Here’s a rundown of all the rubbish feelings you get to dodge when you’re happiest flying solo.
1. No pressure to go out when staying in
No more FOMO for you. When you love being alone, you don’t get that nagging feeling that you’re missing out on some epic night out. You’re perfectly content curled up on the sofa with your favourite show or a good book. The thought of having to get dressed up and make small talk at a crowded pub or club? No thanks!
2. No dealing with the awkwardness of forced small talk
Remember those painful conversations about the weather or what you do for a living? Yeah, you can kiss those goodbye. When you’re alone, you don’t have to rack your brain for something interesting to say to fill the silence. You can just enjoy the quiet or chat with yourself about things you actually care about.
3. Never experiencing the disappointment of flaky friends
You’ve made plans, got all excited, and then your mate cancels at the last minute. When you love being alone, you don’t have to deal with that letdown. Your plans with yourself are always on, no cancellations, no excuses.
4. No need to constantly check your phone
No more anxiety about why someone hasn’t texted back or compulsively refreshing your social media. When you’re content being alone, your phone can stay in your pocket (or better yet, in another room) without you feeling like you’re missing out on something important.
5. Never having to pretend to be interested in boring stories
We’ve all nodded along to a story we couldn’t care less about, just to be polite. When you’re alone, you can focus on your own thoughts and interests without having to feign enthusiasm for someone else’s dull anecdotes. It’s quite liberating, really.
6. No stress of coordinating schedules
Trying to find a time that works for everyone can be a right pain in the arse. When you’re happy being alone, you don’t have to deal with the back-and-forth of finding a date that suits everyone. Your time is your own, and you can do what you want, when you want.
7. Never feeling self-conscious about eating alone in public
For some people, the thought of dining solo in a restaurant is terrifying. But when you love being alone, you can enjoy your meal in peace without worrying about what anyone else might think. In fact, you might even prefer it to dining with company.
8. No dealing with the pressure of splitting the bill
No more awkward moments trying to figure out who ordered what and how to divide the tab fairly. When you’re alone, you know exactly what you’re paying for, and there’s no need to subsidise someone else’s expensive taste in wine.
9. Never feeling left out or excluded from conversations
In groups, it’s easy to feel sidelined if you can’t get a word in edgewise. When you’re alone, you’re always the centre of your own attention. No need to compete for the spotlight or feel like you’re not part of the in-crowd.
10. No anxiety of waiting for someone who’s running late
We’ve all had that friend who’s perpetually late, leaving us standing around like a lemon. When you’re happy alone, you’re always on time for your own company. No more checking your watch every two minutes or wondering if you’ve been stood up.
11. Never needing to compromise on choices
Want to watch that obscure documentary instead of the latest blockbuster? Fancy having ice cream for dinner? When you’re alone, you don’t have to negotiate or compromise. Your choices are yours alone, and there’s a certain freedom in that.
12. No enduring uncomfortable silences
Those awkward lulls in conversation can be excruciating. But when you’re alone, silence is golden. You can enjoy the quiet without feeling the need to fill it with meaningless chatter. It’s peaceful, not painful.
13. Never feeling guilty about cancelling plans
Sometimes you just don’t feel up for socialising, but cancelling can make you feel like a right jerk. When you love being alone, you don’t have to deal with that guilt. Your plans are flexible, and there’s no one to disappoint but yourself.
14. No frustration of group decision-making
Trying to decide where to go or what to do with a group can be like herding cats. When you’re solo, decision-making is a breeze. You want Italian food? Done. Fancy a museum instead of the cinema? No problem. It’s all up to you.
15. Never feeling pressured to drink or party unwillingly
No more peer pressure to have “just one more” when you’re ready to call it a night. When you’re alone, you can enjoy a quiet evening in without feeling like you’re missing out or being a party pooper.
16. No dealing with other people’s drama
Other people’s problems can be exhausting, especially if you’re an unwilling audience. When you’re happy being alone, you can avoid getting caught up in unnecessary drama. Your life is blissfully free of other people’s baggage.
17. Never needing to keep up appearances
No need to worry about how you look or what you’re wearing when you’re alone. You can rock those comfy pyjamas all day if you want, without a care in the world. It’s liberating to just be yourself without any social expectations.
18. No disappointment of unmet expectations
When you rely on other people for your happiness or entertainment, you’re bound to be let down sometimes. But when you’re content being alone, you set your own expectations, and you’re in control of meeting them.
19. Never needing to justify choices to anyone
Want to binge-watch that entire series in one go? Or spend the whole day working on your hobby? When you’re alone, you don’t have to explain or justify how you spend your time. Your choices are yours alone, no explanations needed.
20. No energy drain from constant social interaction
For many people, socialising can be exhausting, even if they enjoy it. When you love being alone, you can recharge your batteries whenever you need to. There’s no social obligation draining your energy, leaving you free to focus on what really matters to you.
