HOW TO: 24 Hours Alone

“As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler. Solitude will not be solitude, poverty will not be poverty, nor weakness weakness”  -Henry David Thoreau

I describe my childhood mostly like this; “I grew up alone in the woods”. Of course I wasn’t always alone and I wasn’t only in the woods. But that is where I was most comfortable. My favorite times as a child were playing in the forests around my house by myself. If the weather permitted I would sleep outside, alone. Now I live in a city and I have to cultivate time alone in nature. Being alone is an important part of my fitness routine. It is vital to my well being my work and my relationships. 

I like being alone but even if you don't choose time alone regularly I think you should.  

Times of solitude are vital, not only for people who thrive being alone but for everyone.

Being alone is a great teacher.

When you are by yourself you will discover important parts of yourself not visible in the hustle of daily life. 

"The work is yourself." -Oprah Winfrey

Step one: Pack the dog!

Its a challenge for me these days to be alone. I have a family. My husband travels regularly for work. I work. Kids have activities. My home needs upkeep. Friendships need loving care. I live in a city on a cul-de-sac. I am active on more than one social media platform and I volunteer on a regular basis. 

It is not as easy as when I was 10 and there was no one around except my dog. 

Being alone is not socially acceptable. When I start to worry that I will get bored or lonely being alone, I know it is time. No people. No books. No journal. No lists. No decisions. No connections. 

"When you can like yourself when you are by yourself, then you can be with others. If you don't like yourself when you are by yourself; you are pulling on others to make you happy." -Dr. Michael Bernard Beckwith

Step two: Select a private location.

It is tempting to fill every second. Not only tempting but easy. Remember my earlier list? The one stating all the reasons it's hard to be alone? Those things also make it easy to be doing something ALL. THE. TIME. 

#carpoollaundrypaybillscookfoodgroceryshopgotoworkcarpoolhelpwithhomeworkect..

There is a reason most religious and spiritual practices require solitude. 

"When you pay attention to boredom it gets unbelievably interesting"-Jon Kabat-Zinn

Step three: No agenda.

Do NOTHING. 

Step four: rest. 

Starlight, star bright, first star I see tonight...

Dr. Seuss on being alone:

All Alone!  

Whether you like it or not,  

Alone will be something  

You’ll be quite a lot. 

And when you’re alone, there’s a very good chance you’ll meet things that scare you right out of your pants. There are some, down the road between hither and yon, that can scare you so much you won’t want to go on.  

But on you will go.  

On and on you will hike.  

And I know you’ll hike far

And face up to your problems  

Whatever they are.  

Being alone free’s me from many of life’s distractions and allows me to see. I see that I can trust myself. In the same way that challenges show me what I am capable of; being alone show’s me who I am. 

I am committed to alone time. I'm done accusing my self of unnecessary selfishness. Ive spent way to much time justifying busyness. In fact every single doctor I have visited for my autoimmune condition has encouraged me to consider "lifestyle" as one measure for healing. 

Lifestyle is one of those nebulous words people use when they don't want to say, "there is something you can do to help your body heal". 

I know what I need. Here are things I enjoy more when I get my alone time: 

making love

parenting

chores

work

I like myself when I am alone and so I don’t "pull on others" to make me happy.

And I get to see amazing things like two screeching predators doing their thing.