It’s better to be alone than around people who don’t support you (Opinion)
Mental health is heavily affected by being content with oneself
It can be freeing to have alone time.
It is better to be alone than around people who don’t support you — this is arguably a universal opinion.
There are instances of stigmatized statements about people who would rather be alone. They assume you are lonely and depressed. That’s been the prevailing storyline about spending time alone for far too long. More recently, scholars are increasingly recognizing and documenting the value of solitude. They believe that spending time alone can be good for creativity, self-insight, self-development, relaxation, and spirituality.
One of the greatest benefits of spending time alone is how it helps you to develop a better understanding of who you are. The more you know and understand yourself, the more likely you are to do things that you love, learn things that interest you, and spend time with people who make you feel good. Being alone is better for teaching yourself to grow and become who you truly are.
When surrounded by individuals who do not support you, ironically, you may begin to feel alienated.
Studies show that being alone improves psychological well-being. These studies have found that people who set aside time to be alone tend to be happier. They report better life satisfaction and lower levels of stress. These people are also less likely to have depression. Being alone allows you to be with your own thoughts and discover your own voice. It is in these moments of solitude where you discover your true identity and means of expression. You are free from any interruptions or outside opinions.
Being alone is much better than being with someone who makes you feel hollow and inferior. When surrounded by individuals who do not support you or care about you, your mental health and mindsets start to decline. According to the National Library of Medicine, “embarrassment, hurt feelings, and loneliness are inherently social emotions that involve threats and challenges that arise in interpersonal interactions and relationships.”
Surrounding yourself with those who do not genuinely care about you as a person makes you feel trapped. It is much better to be alone and thrive than be hurt and unsupported.
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Enola Potter is a junior. She enjoys spending time with her kitty, long drives, and dancing to music. She is part of Mead's varsity cheer team as well as speech & debate. She is looking forward to writing more opinion pieces, poetry, cheering at football games, and meeting new friends.
