Member-only story
Being comfortable with yourself is a skill that can take a while to hone. Some of us are naturally quite good at dealing with loneliness while others struggle to spend time with themselves without anyone else around.
I had always thought of myself as very good at spending time completely alone, but have recently realized that I actually like being around people a lot more. I’ve gone from a total introvert to something in between!
Discovering this new side of myself has been both a blessing and a curse. A blessing because I actually finally enjoy being around people and don’t feel drained as easily as I did just a year ago. A curse because every lonely moment induces anxiety within me. I hate being alone.
I remember being in a hotel in Amsterdam alone and struggling to feel happy. Suddenly, my emotions were tied with having others around me to keep my spirits up. As a self-identified introvert, I struggled to come to terms with this realization.
And this is when I knew that I had to become my own best friend. I had to enjoy my own company. As macabre as it is, we will all die alone, so might as well embrace loneliness. How you feel about yourself when no one is there watching is a lot more important than you think.
