How to Learn to Enjoy Being By Yourself

If only every moment could be like this!

People get married because they genuinely enjoy the company of their intended spouse, and don't want to be alone. They envision romantic evenings of constant togetherness. But what if your beloved travels for business, or is in the military? How can you learn to accept and even enjoy long periods of solitude? How can you learn to enjoy your own company and relish the chance to be by yourself?

Things You'll Need

• A "to do" list of projects to complete.
• A willingness to embrace solitude.

Instructions

Make a List

1. 

   Do have a long list of solo projects you've been putting off? Scrapbooking, writing, organizing your important papers, or cleaning out your closet? Do them now. Time alone can help you focus on time consuming project ts you have been avoiding.

2. Please yourself. Is there a friend you love but your spouse hates? Call and talk to them for hours. Is there a movie you have been dying to see but your significant other would rather gouge out their eyes than see it? Go. Take your times of separation and enjoy the things you cannot enjoy as half of a couple.

3. Be lazy. Sleep in. Don't cook. If you want to sleep until noon and eat cheese sandwiches for 3 days, who can stop you? Give yourself a break from the daily routine and relax. Soak in a hot tub with a good book. Go to the beach and lay in the sun all day with a giant iced tea. Play fetch with your dog until he drops. Instead of feeling sorry for yourself being lonely, embrace your time by yourself as a mini-vacation from your routines and responsibiilties.

4. Get to know yourself again. Sometimes as part of a couple, we compromise our likes and dislikes to keep the peace in our relationship. Time alone can give you an opportunity to examine your life, to participate in activities you'd stopped doing, to listen to music you'd stopped listening to, and to determine what you are and are not willing to compromise. Time alone can provide a valuable opportunity for you to get in touch with your own soul.

Tips & Warnings

• Be creative and use your alone time to complete creative projects.

• Seek out the company of friends you may have been neglecting.

• If communication is possible, contact your spouse each day to let them know you are thinking of them.

• Don't mope and wallow in your loneliness, use your alone time productively.

• Don't forget to tell your spouse you missed them when they return.