Spend some Time With Yourself
When did you last spend some time with yourself? Not by yourself, or alone, but with yourself? Like, time getting to know yourself as a friend.
Recently, like many people nowadays, I've felt a desire to always be occupied or have my mind stimulated in some way. Whether that's while doing chores around the house or eating a meal, I find it almost painful to go without a YouTube video, or some music, or a phone call with a friend for company. In the morning, I'll accompany my daily bowel movement with some NYT puzzles and brush my teeth while reading inconsequential updates on my current interests.
But I think I'm robbing myself of valuable opportunities to spend some time with myself. Whether we know it or not, we're always choosing to spend our time with someone. When we watch a YouTube video, we're seeing the perspective and ideas of that video's creator. When we read a novel, we're spending time in the author's world. And when we scroll short-form content, we're meeting someone new every five seconds.
To clarify, none of these things are Bad. Spending time with others isn't inherently negative. In fact, it's a pretty basic human need. What I'm suggesting is that in this constant pursuit of company, it's quite easy to neglect spending time getting to know yourself. And you do that just like you get to know anybody, by spending time with yourself.
You may discover a lot you never knew about yourself just by allowing some time to let your inner voice speak a little! By making a habit of emptying your mind of others' thoughts (just for a meal or a shower or a poop) your own inner thoughts will come out and you'll learn that it's not so bad to know you. (or maybe it is, in which case... good!?? This is your wake up call!)
One way I like to spend time with myself is by being creative. It's fun to play games, read books, and watch movies partially because we get to know their creators through those media, and likewise we can get to know ourselves by making our own media! I like drawing in my sketchbook because then I can look back on it and think, "what sick weirdo drew that masterpiece?" and know that I am the weirdo.
So next time you find yourself looking to fill time by watching YouTube, or listening to a podcast, or telling yourself you're "relaxing" by scrolling on Instagram, try putting those other people aside just for a moment to become friends with yourself!
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