I’m a senior, who is doing well generally and working on figuring out what’s next. I have friends; however, they’re all busy in some way or another this weekend, and I feel lonely. I know rationally that it’s not a huge deal and is temporary; I have concrete plans for the entirety of the next two weekends! However, I keep coming back to being alone this time. I’m jealous of the people I see out doing things and bored. Does anyone have advice for fun things to do or ways to stop stressing? Thx (:
It sounds like you are not alone all the time and do have friends. It’s just that you aren’t comfortable and don’t like when you do have to be alone.
First, when you find yourself alone and unhappy about it, stay off social media. SM has a way of making people for more isolated and lonely than they already are. A lot of what we see on SM is embellished or simply not true but it’s hard to believe that when you are feeling lonely and bored.
Find some hobbies and interests you can engage in on your own. Reading, biking, volunteering… The list is endless. For many, being content with alone time is something they have to learn. Once it becomes something you actually enjoy, it can be a gift.
As a senior, you might want to spend free time seeking job opportunities or investigating graduate programs in your chosen field.
You’re alone for one weekend? You should watch a movie, catch up with busy work, call your relatives, sew up the hem you’ve been meaning to fix, clear out your sock drawer, or do some other thing you’ve been putting off doing for ages. Being alone isn’t a bad thing.
How wonderful that you can start thinking about how to handle this situation while you are still in college and aren’t alone all of the time. Being with others and alone at times is a reality of life. Especially as you face the next transition, to work, graduate school, marriage, or whatever is next. Take up cooking, knitting, running, or other activity that you can do alone. Enjoy the time that you have with others. This is life.
Okay. Thank you guys, this at least made it all seem more normal than my mind was! I’m sure there is stuff to do…the ideas about social media and working on post-grad plans are also both good.
I was thinking about you, @tessjane77 , and wanted to share something I probably only discovered in my 50s!
I keep a list on my phone of things I want to do. I write them down as they strike me but when I don’t have time to do them. Some are mundane tasks like sewing as button back on or organizing a drawer. Some are looking something up, listening to as podcast, or watching a movie. But when I have time, whether it’s sitting at a gate waiting for a plane or an unexpected afternoon at home when plans fall through, I am not at a loss for something to do. It also helps with that “where to start?” feeling when I have a chunk of free time.
My list is as weird combo of chores and pleasures. But it makes free time (whether by design or not) feel like found time.
Another option is to read an issue of the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Atlantic magazine or the Christian Science Monitor.