35 Fulfilling Ways to Spend Your Time Alone

Let me help you find ways to spend time alone that you’ll actually enjoy.

Do you wish you could have a few moments peace? Time to yourself that you can enjoy to refresh and recharge? Maybe you’re a stay at home mom who desperately needs 5 minutes to yourself. Or you’re a working mom who also needs a few minutes to shake off the day. You could be a student feeling overwhelmed with everything and wants a quick break. It doesn’t matter who you are or what you do. We all need time alone. That’s why I’ve compiled a simple list of 35 ways to spend time alone, that anyone can enjoy.

This list of 35 ways to spend time alone is for anyone, everywhere. Whether you have a few moments to yourself or a whole lot of time there is something here for you. But before we start I want to share with you why it’s important to have time alone and also give you the signs that you should be takng that time immediately!

Why Time Alone is Important

It doesn’t matter who you are or what you do everybody needs to have time to themselves. How you spend that time is your own personal choice, what’s important is that you have it. You know, I can actually hear you right now “I don’t have time to spend time alone“. Ah, excuses excuses! You don’t always need a lot of time. Just a few minutes will do and I’ve got some great ideas for you. Spending time alone is beneficial and necessary and guess what? You deserve it.

Beneficial you say?

Yes. Time alone has so many benefits that we can reap but, here are just a few.

  1. Boosts productivity
  2. Enhances creativity
  3. Increases empathy
  4. Teaches you about yourself
  5. Builds mental strength

Check out this article from Forbes which dives deeper into these science-backed benefits.

Signs You Need Alone Time ASAP

Other than the fact that you as a living, breathing, human being deserves to have alone time, there are a few other reasons it’s needed. The first is that time alone helps with our mental health. Too often people like you and I have too much on our plates. We’re overworked, overwhelmed and don’t have a healthy outlet to step away from it all. Sometimes that can lead to unusual and extreme behaviors that can put us or our loved ones at risk. On the much less dramatic side, we’re simply unhappy and a bit “moody”. It doesn’t have to be that way.

So, that’s why I want to give you the signs that you absolutely and immediately need some time to yourself.

  1. You’re easily annoyed or triggered by people/things that normally wouldn’t bother you
  2. You are feeling more anxious than usual and more often.
  3. You’ve become undecided, unclear or uncaring about things in your life
  4. Everyday tasks have begun to feel overwhelming
  5. Your energy is low, even with that extra shot of expresso

Check out this in-depth article for more signs.

Learning how to recognize these signs may save you from anxiety attacks, depression, or even outbursts on the people who you love.

(Nothing in this article should be taken as medical advice, I am not a doctor or other type of health care physician. I’m simply a blogger sharing my lived experience which may or may not work for you)

Plan on spending your time alone journaling? Check out these Journal Prompts

Best Places To Go Alone

Let’s be honest, alone time at home doesn’t sound all that glamourous, especially if you’re usually there. Of course, I’m not saying it’s a bad place to be. I’m simply saying there are other places you can and should go to make the best of your me-time.

For some people, spending time alone alone isn’t what they’re looking for. They want to be by themselves but still around others. Below is a list of places where you can be alone but still around others. What I love most about this list is that it’s a great way to people watch if that’s an activity you enjoy.

  1. Book Store
  2. Art Museum
  3. Beach
  4. Outdoor Cafe
  5. Local Park

However, if being around other people isn’t your vibe and you want to be alone but not at home try one of these alternatives

  1. Rent a hotel room for the night
  2. Rent an AirBnB somewhere secluded
  3. Go for a hike or walk a trail

There are plenty of ways you can choose to spend time to yourself. I’ve noticed a few popular trends online lately that seem to help others. Of course, these things may not create the fulfilling, refreshing mood you’re aiming for and that’s okay. Not everything works for everyone, and following trends isn’t the goal, getting back to our best selves is. But still, here are some popular ideas for ways to spend time alone.

  1. Meditate
  2. Journal Writing
  3. Goal Setting
  4. Binge watch TV
  5. Go for a walk

In conclusion and most simply put, we need to be by ourselves sometimes. I’m a stay at home mom who also works from home and with three kids it can be overwhelming. There are days when I feel allergic to my own skin because I’m so anxious and overloaded with touching, crying, questions, kids shows, laundry, cooking, cleaning, trying to work, and handling bills. It can be too much and when I start to feel that way for days at a time instead of once in a while I know I need a moment to myself. I participate in several of the activities on the list below and know that they can help.

Find something you think can work for you and let me know how it went.

List of 35 ways to spend time alone without your kids