Spending time with myself

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My time I'm Byron is often spent around a lot of people. In fact, as a traveller in general it's rare to have a moment completely to yourself. Meeting new people, communal living spaces and hostels often mean there are so many people around you can't even get any privacy.

While I of course love being social, recently I'm finding increasingly more joy in spending time alone.

A few days ago I took myself out on a date. This might sound mad to some people, but please don't pity me as the single girl. It's actually really fun and I'd recommend you do it too regardless of your relationship status.
I had received some sad family news that day and I wanted to do something nice by myself to cheer myself up.
I drove into town and went to a little Asian restaurant.
It's so nice not having anyone to compromise for and no arguments over where to go for dinner!
I had veggie gyozas and a miso ramen and it was sooo good.
Town was really busy (it was a Saturday night) so there was something peaceful about being in my own little bubble, going at my own slow pace while everyone was rushing around me.
After eating, I went to Byron's twilight markets. They happen every Saturday evening, and where I've been working at the pizza place every weekend I haven't had the chance to go since I moved to Byron. So I finally had this evening free to go and have a look around.
At the night markets, there are plenty of stalls selling jewellery, art, clothes, and food, and in the back corner beautiful live music is performed. It was super relaxing to stroll around looking at everything at my own pace, enjoying the warm summer evening.

This date night with myself was a really important reminder for me that being alone doesn't have to be an unfortunate side effect of your friends all being busy- it can be a deliberate choice and a very enjoyable one at that.

And now, as I write this, I'm on another solo adventure. Today I've come to Protesters Falls, a waterfall near Byron that I've heard about and wanted to go to for a while but no one has been free to come with me. Well, I got sick of waiting, and decided it would be better to see it alone than not at all.
And what a great decision that was.
The rainforest is absolutely stunning, and it smells amazing. I'm not sure I would have noticed such a minute detail if I wasn't alone.
Plus I really love taking my time, looking at every weird-looking tree I want to, and setting up some self-timer selfies.
Spending time by myself in nature is really beneficial to my well-being. It reconnects me to the earth and reminds me of the natural beauty of this world.

When you experience something on your own rather than with people, I think you get something different out of it. I can really gauge how I'm feeling and if I like something or not, better than when I'm with company who might sway my opinion. I'm a huge empath, meaning I take on other's emotions and absorb their energy. Therefore when I'm on my own, I have no one's energy to reflect but my own, and it's a great time to be introspective. You learn more about yourself and gain more independence. Doing stuff with people is of course fun, but I think sometimes an experience means more when you're on your own.

I've got such an amazing group of friends around me me the moment and I really appreciate them and love spending time with them. However, in life people aren't always free when you are and schedules or travel plans don't always line up, so being solo is often necessary. But more than just circumstance, it can be totally joyous.

Shepp x

Comments

  1. JMR1 February 2021 at 05:30

    100% totally agree with you, Shepp! I have found that during lockdown when I have wanted to go out for walks every other minute, my hubbie doesn't want to come. As he did lots of walking in the Himalayas and Wales (about 20 yrs ago!!) he claims that walking by the Thames is too boring! So, I go on my own and really love it. Not just the Thames, but up around L'Heath and Pangbourne etc. I also get the chance to take more pics without anyone huffing and puffing ...
    Love reading your blogs and am really pleased that you are there in Byron and not here in flipping lockdown.
    Keep going girl! XXX

    ReplyDelete

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