Alone Time: Is it necessary? Well, it is. For me.
In these last few days, this blogging thing has been quite helpful for me. It puts me in a state of relief, some kind of that-final-moment when there's only me and my laptop. And yep, all the members of my family have gone to sleep.
Yes, I love privacy. In fact, I adore it.
(By 'privacy' here I mean 'the right to be let alone' as defined by Samuel Warren and Louis Brandeis on their article, The Right to Privacy)
Some of my friends may don't know this: I am actually a loner.
Because of these reasons,
Where do I have to start.... Let me start here, Introversion vs Extroversion in our daily life.
Most of you are probably already familiar with these two terms. Introversion is associated with secluded, reserved, and solitary behavior yet extroversion is the opposite. It's associated with the outgoing and energetic behavior. Susan Cain, in her book Quiet: The power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking, argues that the culture of Western, particularly United States is dominated by the "extrovert ideal" belief, the belief that says the ideal person is gregarious and comfortable being in a spotlight.
Well, I can say that in the place I live also holds the same preference (Oh, yeah, I'm Indonesian :)). That's why, some of the behaviors of the introverts, in this case, having an alone time is considered as bizarre. "Why the heck is anyone want to be alone?". I get that a lot, and oh, also the pity looks I get from people.
Here's the thing. Alone time may not be for everyone but, I can tell you it already gives me much much happiness when there's only me and myself. A lot of us maybe, unconsciously, not aware about what one really wants, what one really needs, who one really is. The life itself is confusing and the only one you can rely on is yourself. I mean, how can you understand yourself if you don't get enough alone time with your mind? Watch a good movie, no one will judge if you're crying over the dramatized scenes (hey, I did that every time!). Have a good book, maybe a cup or two hot chocolate to calm your nerves. Like I said, no one will judge, you'll have a nice conversation with yourself.
And remember, don't be intimidated.
The time has changed, I get it, we all got demanded for many things. One have to be this, that, these, and those to gain popularity, I guess, also gain the respects and all is. In this intimidating society, a person can be unsteady and forget what's truly important: BEING YOU.
Have good times with your friends, It's important, they're important. But just don't forget about yourself. You, too, have to take care of yourself. Not only the body, but also your mental health. Don't be intimidated just because you have to post this and that to your instagram, let's say how about uploading a really nice image of your "introvert side" and post it into your brain. Have some intimacy with yourself first, you'll be happier and the rest of your surroundings will also be happy because of it.
Yes, I love privacy. In fact, I adore it.
(By 'privacy' here I mean 'the right to be let alone' as defined by Samuel Warren and Louis Brandeis on their article, The Right to Privacy)
Some of my friends may don't know this: I am actually a loner.
Because of these reasons,
- I rarely tell something about my(truly)self. Only show people what I want them to see.
- Much prefer listening than talking.
- Acting is a piece of pie. Except the fact that a pie is delicious and acting isn't.
- Being with friends once in a while may good for your health. A distraction, sometimes a medicine. So I don't mind doing it as long as I can keep my privacy just fine. And I'm doing it surprisingly good! (I guess~)
Where do I have to start.... Let me start here, Introversion vs Extroversion in our daily life.
Most of you are probably already familiar with these two terms. Introversion is associated with secluded, reserved, and solitary behavior yet extroversion is the opposite. It's associated with the outgoing and energetic behavior. Susan Cain, in her book Quiet: The power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking, argues that the culture of Western, particularly United States is dominated by the "extrovert ideal" belief, the belief that says the ideal person is gregarious and comfortable being in a spotlight.
Well, I can say that in the place I live also holds the same preference (Oh, yeah, I'm Indonesian :)). That's why, some of the behaviors of the introverts, in this case, having an alone time is considered as bizarre. "Why the heck is anyone want to be alone?". I get that a lot, and oh, also the pity looks I get from people.
Here's the thing. Alone time may not be for everyone but, I can tell you it already gives me much much happiness when there's only me and myself. A lot of us maybe, unconsciously, not aware about what one really wants, what one really needs, who one really is. The life itself is confusing and the only one you can rely on is yourself. I mean, how can you understand yourself if you don't get enough alone time with your mind? Watch a good movie, no one will judge if you're crying over the dramatized scenes (hey, I did that every time!). Have a good book, maybe a cup or two hot chocolate to calm your nerves. Like I said, no one will judge, you'll have a nice conversation with yourself.
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| image source: dictionary.reference.com |
And remember, don't be intimidated.
The time has changed, I get it, we all got demanded for many things. One have to be this, that, these, and those to gain popularity, I guess, also gain the respects and all is. In this intimidating society, a person can be unsteady and forget what's truly important: BEING YOU.
Have good times with your friends, It's important, they're important. But just don't forget about yourself. You, too, have to take care of yourself. Not only the body, but also your mental health. Don't be intimidated just because you have to post this and that to your instagram, let's say how about uploading a really nice image of your "introvert side" and post it into your brain. Have some intimacy with yourself first, you'll be happier and the rest of your surroundings will also be happy because of it.
Oh and the last point,
If it isn't you to have this alone-time-thing, it's perfectly alright. We're all different and the difference makes everyting work out well. And if you see someone's having his/her alone time, you know it's important to that person. Leave him/her be ;)
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| (From an E-Book by Susan Cain: Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking) |
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