To Be Alone VS. To Be Lonely

“Cherish your solitude. Take trains by yourself to places you have never been. Sleep out alone under the stars. Learn how to drive a stick shift. Go so far away that you stop being afraid of not coming back. Say no when you don’t want to do something. Say yes if your instincts are strong, even if everyone around you disagrees. Decide whether you want to be liked or admired. Decide if fitting in is more important than finding out what you’re doing here. Believe in kissing.” - Eve Ensler

Do you think there’s a difference??

Some people seem to think being alone means you’re lonely. I think there is strength in solitude.

Yes you can be alone and feel lonely, but you can also be surrounded by others and still feel lonely. Personally when I am alone I feel like I can seize the world. Sometimes I do feel lonely, I’m not ready to seize the world 100% of the time, but I always remind myself that that is only a feeling, and I am quite quick to snap out of it. Travelling alone has taught me that you really do not need anything or anyone to make you happy. It is simply a decision that you make for yourself. I knew this before but now it’s really engraved. Obviously I pray I never have to live a life without my loved ones. But our inner peace really is depended on our perception, not those around us, or our surroundings.

I think it is important to spend time on your own. Everything becomes clearer. However, I also believe that we are here to share experiences with others. I believe we are always exactly where we are meant to be, even when were stuck in traffic, or some unfortunate situation, for some reason that’s where were meant to be.

I don’t have to force myself to be alone because I am quite the introvert, instead I have to force myself to go out and socialize. Which I am learning to understand it is just as important as an extrovert should spend more time on their own.

If you love yourself, genuinely love yourself, be your own best friend, you will never feel alone.