During college, we’re constantly surrounded by people. From roommates to classmates to even the crowds of strangers we pass on the quad, our highly scheduled lives seem to inevitably include the presence of others. It’s normal for us to always want to be around our friends and loved ones; we don’t want to feel isolated or left out. While this is a wonderful thing (human connection is important, people), the reality is you are never really alone.
It’s hard sometimes to take a step back and catch up with ourselves. Not only because it requires time, but the thought of being alone can be a little scary. But it’s also incredibly empowering and important to do so. Taking “me time” gives us the opportunity to self-reflect, refuel, take a breather, and grow. It teaches us that we can learn how to do things on our own, that we don’t always need someone to help us with everything, and it allows us to feel empowered!
Don’t shy away from yourself—embrace and celebrate it! And in case you needed some suggestions on how to do so, here 10 ways to take a time out with the most important person in your life—you!
1. Take a Nap.
Naps are one of my favorite things to do. My bed is happiness. Naps are a form of self-care. Our bodies spend many hours of the day without any rest, and deserve a little time off to regain its mighty strength. Self-care is necessary.
2. Grab on a Lunch Date
Sometimes eating lunch on a nice sunny day can lift your spirits up and signal in some good ole motivation. As you enjoy a nice meal, you’ll have time for yourself. Time to reflect on things you haven’t had time to do so, and allows you to take a moment to relax and enjoy the moment. It really gives you the chance to just be.
3. Go Watch a Movie.
I know for many people it seems like a very strange thing to do, but it’s actually not. I personally do it all the time! You’re able to fully concentrate on what you’re watching, and it’s like having a date with yourself where you get to choose what movie you want to watch and want candy you want to eat. Your choices are never limited and it’s for sure empowering!
4. Treat Yourself.
Treating yourself is always so exciting. I think we sometimes forget that we can splurge on ourselves a little and not feel guilty about it. We work so hard at our jobs, school, and in any type of relationship, that we neglect to recognize how awesome we really are. So treat yourself, you deserve it!
5. Work on a Personal Project
Most of us have at least one thing we are passionate about. No matter what it is, it’s important for us to dedicate time to the things we love to do. Taking the time to work on a project can really spark up a passion you have and encourage you to create new things. It’ll inspire you to be productive. You’d be surprised as to how many things you’ll discover about yourself in the process.
6. Practice Self-Love.
We’ve been taught from a very young age that thinking of ourselves is considered selfish. This is far from the truth. The moments where you take the time to acknowledge your successes, give yourself credit and accept your mistakes, are the moments where we can assess, collect our thoughts and learn most about the person we are. It’s also a push to keep going no matter what. This act of love only encourages more love and appreciation for yourself.
7. Embrace Your Curiosity.
Here’s a cool fact: the world is filled with infinite opportunities. In other words, you can literally try anything that might interest you. Yes! You can try anything. Wondering how rock climbing is like? Want to try that new smoky eye palette? Want to take a spontaneous road trip with your best friends? Go for it. Explore your curiosity and let it propel you. Be curious and take action. It’s your life and you can take control of it.
8. Document Your Memories.
Photographs and journals are like a time machine. If you ever want to reminisce or document an important part of your life, then they are you go-to tools of navigation. This is a perfect way to document your progress and personal growth. They give you the chance to look back on your life later on and see how far you’ve come—giving you another reason to be proud of yourself!
9. Make Your Own Decisions.
A really cool thing about being independent is making your own decisions. You don’t have to listen to what other people tell you or want you to do. I mean, of course you can always share things with your friends and anyone you’d like, but at the end of the day you have the power to make decisions about your life. You are in full control.
10. Be Messy.
You are not perfect. No one is perfect. Everyone is going to make mistakes and try things they might not like. This is totally okay. Allow yourself to get messy and step out of your comfort zone. What matters is that you try and now you know what you know after those experiences. There’s no need to pressure yourself about everything. Sometimes being messy helps us discover what we like and what we don’t like. It lead us to be more self-aware, which is never a bad thing.
(All photos via @brisaamarr)
