Being Alone ≠ Feeling Alone

BuzzFeed has recently posted an interesting video:Things You Should Try Alone

Have you watched it yet? It really is interesting.

But anyway, let me begin by saying this:

Being Alone  ≠ Feeling Alone

(I purposely went to search for that symbol!)

Our current society likes to judge people for every nitty bitty thing, seriously. We judge and are judged all the time. The only time you aren't judging, is probably when you're sleeping.

But what I am focusing on today is the issue of being alone. 

When you see someone on the streets alone, or eating alone in a restaurant, the first emotion that you feel is empathy. Thoughts that come to mind are such that they wish they weren't in their shoes. And I think the most stereotypical thing one can say is, 'Look, he's such a loner'. But what you might not know is that, that person is probably 10 times happier than you are as compared to you hanging out with your friends.

Ladies and Gentlemen, let me introduce you to the world of...

You see, I must clarify this,
Being Alone is different from Feeling Lonely. 

You may be surrounded by a whole bunch of people whom you call friends, but do you truly feel like you belong? I can be at a party and feel like I'm alone. Alessia Cara, in her song entitled 'Here' truly explains the feeling:

Being Alone is a necessity to some. 

For example, once you've been out socializing with all kinds of people for a few days, take the time out to date yourself. Spend time with yourself and chill. Enjoy the silence. I have one friend that finds it more tiring to talk to people, more than anything. She actually needs to 'recharge' herself by staying alone in her room. But you see, she doesn't feel alone. She is perfectly contented with being alone.

The feeling of loneliness is pretty common at our time and age. 

We constantly question the sincerity of others and are burdened with ridiculous nonsense. Sometimes you may even feel that no one truly understands you. But my friend, don't mourn over feeling lonely. Instead, take charge of it! Sometimes, it's all in the mind. All you have to do, is reach out and talk to someone. Your family or your childhood friend. I believe that they are more than willing to listen to you. If you feel lonely, take the initiative to ask someone to go out with you. 

What usually causes one to feel alone is the fear of rejection. 

The mentality that 'rejection makes us a loser' has been spread out and instilled within us. Conquer that fear and embrace rejection. When one door closes, another opens. So even if you ask someone out, and they say no, don't give up. It just means you can't click. 

Stop looking for friends that you can only have fun with. 

Spend time with friends who are willing to share your ideas and dreams. Open your eyes and see the benefits of spending quality time alone with yourself, or even close friends. Quantity of friends does not mean quality of friends. 

As for those who are alone but not feeling alone, keep doing what you're doing. 

That confidence is what will bring you further. The fact that you know what you're doing is right, and that you're perfectly contented with who and what you are, is what a lot of people are looking for. BUT, don't get addicted to spending time alone with yourself. Solitude can be an addiction because you don't have to deal with anyone's drama. Too much of something is never good eh?

So balance yourself out. 

Be alone but make sure you socialize and make memories with friends as well. Of course, I encourage travelling alone as well because you get the opportunity to meet more people and have more time to explore stuff , do stuff on your own terms. But by all means, go out with people as well.

As for those that feel alone, you must learn to conquer that fear. 

Do things that you love. Have a connection with not just people, but passion as well. Do what you have always wanted to do - learn an instrument or language, trying a new game out, read a book (personal favorite). By trying something new, you turn your attention to something else, translating that negative energy into something positive. 

An article by Huffington Post offers quite an interesting view as well! Read it if you feel like it :)

So remember, feeling alone isn't the same as being alone. When you finally realize that, you'll be able to see things from a different perspective and enjoy time alone. Maybe when I'm free I'll post up benefits of being alone, where to get some awesome deals as well! But for now, I'm off to continue working on my assignment! :(

Love,

Tasha Lim