How To Enjoy Solo Time Without Feeling Bored

Some people naturally enjoy time on their own—they might look forward to it, and even protect it. Others find it a little trickier because being alone can feel awkward, unproductive, or just plain boring, especially if you’re used to being busy or surrounded by people most of the time.

But the thing to remember is that solo time can be a really good thing.

In fact, it’s one of the few opportunities we have to slow down, reset, and reconnect with ourselves a little, and the trick is learning how to approach it in a way that works for you, and working out what makes it feel like time well spent so you can actually enjoy it a lot more. 

With that in mind, if you want to know more about how to enjoy solo time without feeling bored, just keep reading—we’ve got some interesting tips and ideas for you, so you can really make the most of your time, even if there’s no one around.

Change How You Look At Solo Time 

Sometimes boredom comes about because there’s a kind of expectation that solo time needs to be exciting or meaningful, or you’ve got to achieve something.

But the truth is that it doesn’t have to be any of those things, and it’s fine for it just to be quiet time and to be completely aimless or even pointless if you like.

And the more you stop expecting things from your solo time, the more rest you’ll get, the less stressed you’ll be, and you might even enjoy it more (in fact, you’re almost guaranteed to). 

Remember that solo time isn’t something you should be suffering through just to make it to the time you’re with other people or you’ve got something to do at least—it can and should be something to really enjoy, and although it doesn’t have to be big, it should be positive. 

You Don’t Have To Be Doing Something Important 

This is such an important point to think about, but it’s one that often gets ignored or forgotten—as adults we generally feel as though everything we do should have a purpose, otherwise it’s worthless.

We’re always trying to learn something, improve something, or make something, but that can make downtime feel like a waste when there’s nothing to learn, improve, or make… and it’s not. 

You’re actually allowed to do things just because you feel like it, even if there’s no results or outcomes from it—you really can just do things for no reason.

You’re allowed to watch a film, go for a walk, make a playlist, do some coloring, stare out of the window… Or you can even try a hobby that doesn’t become something you try to monetize, because not everything has to be for profit.

In the end, there’s no rule that says solo time has to be impressive, or even that you have to tell people what you’ve done—it’s literally just for you anyway, so do what you want with it (and enjoy it when you’ve got it). 

Even something as small and casual as taking ten minutes to play an online pool game, for example, can count as quality solo time.

It’s great because it doesn’t ask much of you, it’s fun, and it gives your brain a little break, which is basically the whole point. 

Go Back To What You Used To Enjoy

Think back to what you used to enjoy doing before life got quite so busy—maybe it was drawing, baking, taking photos just for fun, reading, playing music, collecting something silly… whatever it was, those interests have probably not gone away, it’s just that you’ve had other things you’ve had to focus on.  

When you think about it, solo time is the perfect chance to go back to some of those things and rediscover them in some way—and get the enjoyment back from them.

Of course, you don’t need to be good at these things, and you don’t need to turn them into anything serious (a lot of the time, the fun goes away when you do that); you just need to spend a bit of time with them and see how it feels. 

It’s actually quite surprising how quickly those little things can make you feel so much happier and more relaxed, and once that happens, everything else, even the trickier challenges you might be facing, can become easier to deal with as well. 

Get Comfortable With A Bit Of Quiet 

It’s easy to fill every second of our day with sound, scrolling, or background noise, and while there’s nothing really wrong with a bit of distraction, sometimes it’s worth trying to be silent instead—it can make a difference, and although it’s not always easy to get into at first, it’s sure to have at least some benefits once you can do it. 

That might mean turning off your phone for a while or just putting it down and not reaching for it every few minutes when things get quiet or slow. It might mean sitting with a cup of coffee and doing absolutely nothing for ten minutes.

And yes, at first it’s going to feel totally unfamiliar and perhaps even uncomfortable, but once you get past that feeling, you’ll probably notice your mind relaxing a little because you’re not being pulled in all directions and you’re not trying to juggle a million thoughts all at once.

You’re just sitting, breathing, and existing, and that’s enough, even if it can be hard to remember that. 

Make A Routine Out Of It

One way to make solo time feel more enjoyable is to turn it into a small ritual. It really doesn’t have to be elaborate or impressive; it just has to be something that makes it feel like it’s meant to happen and be part of your day. 

Maybe that means setting the mood with the right lighting and a cozy blanket, for example, or perhaps it’s making your favorite drink, or putting on a particular song or playlist.

Whatever it is, even if it’s just a case of doing the solo and relaxing thing at the same time every day, it’s going to help, and you’ll probably feel a lot clearer once you’ve done it. 

When you’ve got routine and rituals like that in place, it helps solo time feel more familiar and safe, and although they won’t be structured as such, they’ll still be comfortable, and that can be all you need to enjoy it more. 

Let Yourself Be Playful

Solo time doesn’t have to be a serious thing, and in fact, it’s often better when it’s not—so give yourself the chance to be a bit silly sometimes, in whatever way works for you.

It can be something light and fun, as long as it makes you smile, because remember, you’re not doing this for someone else. 

Remember that playfulness isn’t just something that kids get to do and enjoy—it’s just part of being human, and although adults tend to tell themselves off a bit when they act silly, it’s good for you, and you should do it more often.

The problem is that silliness and playfulness often disappear as we get older, so the more you can do to get it back and reclaim it, the better. 

Final Thoughts 

Enjoying solo time shouldn’t ever be about forcing more ‘stuff’ into your day—it’s actually about doing less when you think about it.

It’s just that the things you do need to be relaxing, and you should allow yourself to unwind and just be in the moment. If you can do that, it’s going to benefit all areas of your life.