How to Enjoy Living Alone During a Pandemic

Sheltering in place has its pros and cons. On one hand, you’re saving money on transportation, learning new skills, and catching up on lots of TV. On the other hand, we are stuck inside. We all have to do our part to stop the spread of COVID, but that doesn’t mean we should be miserable while sheltering in place. While limiting social interactions can be very difficult for some, there are lots of ways for you to make the most of this alone time. 

Here are some quick tips on how to stay sane while living alone.  
 

Get to Know Yourself Better

We all act differently when we are by ourselves, compared to being with roommates, or even family. The best part, you can take the time to get to know yourself judgment-free. You can take this time to become self-sufficient or get your life together so you’re actually prepared for when you’re not alone in the future. When all the normal day-to-day interactions are put on a halt, it gives us the space to decide what is really important to us. Take this time alone to reflect on what your post-pandemic life will be like. Then get excited to go after it! 
 

Enjoy the Quiet

When living with roommates or a significant other, there is rarely a time when it is completely silent. Whether that be their shower running, their music playing, or their coworkers talking, being alone allows you to experience peace and quiet. Use this time to meditate, do some breath work, or just visualize what you’re looking forward to doing in the post-COVID world. There are not too many times in our lives where the world seems to come to a halt. Embrace this life pause and embrace this quiet, because normal life moves fast, and someday soon, you might miss the peace and quiet. 
 

Allow Yourself Time to Feel Alone, but Know There is a Solution

Sometimes it’s hard to not fall into periods of loneliness or feelings of isolation. This is completely normal! Prepare yourself for moments like these by having a distraction on hand (TikTok is a great solution), or use this time to call a friend and ask about their day. Be aware of when you typically feel these feelings. Is it when you walk into an empty room? Is it when you get into bed at night? When you wake up in the morning? Knowing what triggers those feelings can help you prepare an offense to regroup and get you back on track. 

Stick to a Routine

What day is it? What time is it? If living in quarantine has made your days hazy, you’re not alone. Many of us have lost the structure of our daily lives, leaving us uncertain about how to fill the many hours in the day. We as humans are conditioned to follow a schedule for our commute, mealtimes, and everything in between. With all the time in the world, days being endless and also one and the same, it can be difficult to hold yourself to a strict schedule. Try to replicate normalcy in our pandemic world by waking up at the same time, eating a good breakfast, exercising, and allowing yourself to take breaks whenever you need it.

Remember: You Don’t Need to Wear Pants

You read that right. One of the best parts of living alone is that you don’t need to wear pants, and no one will be there to care if you aren’t wearing them! It can be really liberating knowing that you can wear anything or nothing at all, and no one will care. You can confidently wear whatever you want throughout the apartment without fear of an awkward run-in. This is truly a beautiful thing.