When She Learned to Enjoy Her Own Company

As I've gotten older, I've become more comfortable with simply being with myself. I no longer feel like I have to be everywhere or say yes to everything. I've learned to trust myself, trust the relationships I've built, and trust that the work I've done speaks for itself.

I've learned that solitude is not loneliness; it's an opportunity to discover the strength within you and the presence of God beside you. When you walk with God, you are never truly alone. He meets you in the quiet, strengthens you in the stillness, and reminds you that you are deeply loved.

I've learned that solitude isn't loneliness, it's where I've become more comfortable hearing my own voice without the noise of everyone else's expectations. Spending time with myself has taught me that I don't always have to be connecting, serving, or building for others to feel purposeful.

For younger me, being alone felt scary. I remember the need for validation from my friends. Now in my 50's I know that I am my best self when I've had my time to myself to reset & renew. I find myself feeling lonely in a crowd of people I don't connect with versus being content when I'm by myself. Alone and lonely are no longer synonymous in my life.

Over time, I learned that being alone doesn't have to mean being lonely. I've become comfortable sitting with myself, protecting my peace, and realizing that solitude can be a space for healing, growth, and truly getting to know the woman I'm becoming.

Paulo Coelho once wrote, "If you are never alone, you cannot know yourself." It is in moments of solitude and quiet reflection that we can truly dig deep and take an inventory of what is worth holding onto and what we need to release to make room for new experiences. We rarely give ourselves the gift of being alone and still. Those moments alone with ourselves and/or our Creator allow us to reflect on our purpose, heal, reset, plan and reconnect with what truly matters. I have come to enjoy my long commute to and from work, a walk, a workout, a stroll on the beach or park, or even a quiet coffee break as an opportunity to spend time with myself.

It is really important for me to relax in between tasks. When I'm not at work or caring for my family, I like to downshift with gardening and watching the sunset.

When I was younger, being alone was something I generally avoided unless I just needed to rest. As I've gotten older, I've come to appreciate solitude as a way to recharge mentally and emotionally. I've learned that spending time by myself, whether it's enjoying a meal or attending a show alone, isn't lonely at all. It's become an important way to reconnect with myself and protect my energy.

Over time, I've learned that solitude isn't something to fear, but more so, a space to reconnect with myself. When I became comfortable being alone, I discovered greater self awareness, confidence, and a peace that didn't depend on anyone else's presence.

I used to avoid solitude because quiet gave everything I was carrying room to speak. Once I stopped chasing people who drained me and became secure in who I am, I discovered that I genuinely enjoy my own company; the quiet is where I think most clearly, protect my peace, and return to myself stronger.

Honestly, I used to fill every quiet moment because being alone made me uncomfortable. Somewhere along the way I started actually looking forward to it, and now some of my best thinking happens when nobody else is in the room.