- I used to dislike being alone, but I grew accustomed to it when my husband began traveling more for work.
- Recently, he was away for three weeks, and it was challenging to make plans with friends.
- During this time, I realized how much I value my friendships and appreciate them more when my friends are present.
As an adult, I have never lived alone. There have been numerous instances where I wished I had the experience. After college, I moved back in with my parents, and two years later, I began living with my long-distance boyfriend, Sam, who is now my husband.
Perhaps due to this or my extroverted nature, I used to consider myself “bad” at being alone. I disliked my own company and often felt self-conscious in public when alone. However, since Sam started traveling more for work, I have had no choice but to embrace being alone. Although loneliness sometimes creeps in, I have come to enjoy my solo time.
When he left for a three-week work trip this month, I expected to feel a bit lonely. What I didn’t anticipate was the realization of the importance of strong friendships for my mental well-being.
I yearn for the days when I prioritized friends over boyfriends
Whether it’s my life stage or the fact that people around me are starting to enter relationships, I’ve noticed that my friends are less available or constantly busy. I often find myself initiating plans. There are times when a friend cancels at the last minute.
While maintaining a romantic relationship requires dedication, I miss the moments when best friends took precedence over boyfriends. Good friendships are nourishing. I won’t claim that friendships are superior to romance, but they connect us to someone who understands us differently.
Despite growing accustomed to being alone, I still experience loneliness. I am not alone in feeling this way. According to a 2020 Harvard Graduate School of Education survey, 36% of US adults reported serious loneliness.
During my husband’s recent trip, with no one available, I embraced my alone time and made the most of it. I tackled procrastinated house projects, indulged in reading my book, and caught up on my favorite TV shows.
Growing older amplifies my appreciation for genuine friendships
Occasionally, someone surprises me. This weekend, I decided to attend a class at a local arts and crafts studio. It’s a place where you reserve a desk and make use of various supplies. The atmosphere is wholesome, with no alcohol but only seltzer and tea. The studio is stocked with stamps, stickers, sequin boxes, embroidery hoops, and more. I had wanted to visit for a long time and grew tired of waiting for someone to accompany me.
At the last minute, a new friend joined me. It turned out to be a therapeutic day as we peacefully worked on our projects while rain poured outside.
As I age, making friends becomes more challenging, possibly because there is no instant social pool to choose from like in school. When I do experience that instant connection with someone, that warm feeling where I feel comfortable and at ease, I hold onto it tightly because it’s rare. And when I’m fortunate, the other person feels the same way.
Denial of responsibility! Vigour Times is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
