People have been enjoying the return to adjusted normalcy with schools and businesses reopening, adults going back to work, the return of live sports games, and the overall idea of socializing over the last 6 months. As expected, people have been going out more, meeting new people, spending more time with their friends, and bringing back what the pandemic took away from us. 

However, it can be easy to lose yourself and feel overwhelmed with the intense return of human interaction. Amidst all the dinners and parties, it is easy to forget who you want to be or who you really are. Sometimes, everyone needs to be reminded that it’s okay to take breaks and recharge your social battery and that you do not need to have a packed social life to truly live your life. 

Through social media, people (especially teenagers) are under the impression that they must have a busy social life in order to enjoy their time and have fun, and anyone who does not do so is living their life “wrong”. However, there is no specific “right” way to spend your free time. You should spend your time doing activities that you enjoy and that bring you joy. It is your life, and you should not let the internet dictate how you live it.

So what if you want to stay home and play video games all weekend; who are people on the internet to tell you that isn’t fun? The word “fun” is subjective; what is fun to you may not be fun to someone else and vice versa. Why should the internet decide what you find fun? You should not feel unfulfilled, guilty, or disappointed if you are not living up to the internet’s expectations of “fun.”

Furthermore, it is important to spend time away from people to truly get to know yourself and grow as a person. When spending time with people, humans tend to zone out or feel drained at times. We have all experienced that moment when our social battery dies and we just want to go home, lie in bed, stare at our ceilings, and contemplate our entire lives. It is in those moments that we realize it is crucial to spend some alone time doing activities that nurture your soul and make you feel complete.

It is vital to make time for yourself, away from people and your phone, to explore your interests and hobbies and find what it is that truly makes you happy. It is in that time that you can do tasks that truly interest you, without outside judgment or distractions, and grow as a person. 

“Over winter break, I started spending more time with myself and doing things that I love such as playing the piano and listening to music that I like. I found myself feeling refreshed and less stressed by doing so, and I didn’t feel like I had to live up to anyone’s expectations,” said junior Ruth Guracha.

Not only do you develop as a person by spending time with yourself, but it also prepares you for the future. By spending alone time, you learn about yourself and learn about some of your best and worst qualities. You learn about your likes and dislikes, and you also discover what you really desire in life. You can use all that you have learned in that time when applying to jobs or colleges in the future, and it can help you eventually figure out what you really want to do in life. 

To say that spending time alone is important would be an understatement. Putting aside time for yourself is key for personal growth during any time in life, especially during your teenage years. Not only does it teach you about yourself, but it also helps you rest and recharge, helping you fully enjoy the next time you socialize. Spend some time with yourself, and you might be shocked by what you learn.

Photo courtesy of NEGATIVESPACE.CO