Rounding the corner I saw a young woman a short distance off the road, sitting up on a grassy hill. Beneath her was a flattened blanket decorated with snacks, a book, and other miscellaneous items. With her, a dog. Her best friend, I suppose. While passing them by, the woman and I exchanged smiles, as the dog played next to her.
She seemed perfectly content having no one else around, but her dog. Some people are like that. They are happy being alone. Others are quite the opposite.
Some people have to have someone around them all the time. Their happiness is dependent on others. Having spoken to a few people in this category, I’ve learned that the thought of being alone is dreadful to most of them. They speak of how bored they would be, and of how lonely they would feel.
To avoid that, they constantly invite people to their homes or schedule outings with their friends. Some even go so far as to invite themselves to other peoples’ homes or events. They simply cannot fathom the idea of being alone, and that’s okay. We’re all different.
I’m like the girl with the dog. Although I enjoy having people around, I am content being by myself. I remember many days laying in the grass, staring up at the sky. Just me. No one else. Often I would go on mountain hikes alone, which I realize now is unwise. Afternoon drives to nowhere in particular was a common occurrence. Or just simply spending time alone in my home, watching movies, working on projects, or scrap-booking.
Never did I get bored, or lonely. I still don’t. To be in a place where there is no noise (except nature), no talking, music, or distractions, is heavenly to me. That’s something that can’t be experienced when other people are around.
Don’t get me wrong, I love being around my family and friends, and cherish every moment we have together. It’s just not a requirement for me to be happy.
Having said all that, I wonder why some people are content being alone and others are not. Is it because of how they were raised? Their culture perhaps? Or, does it stem from the idea of whether or not a person is content with themselves?
While that question is being pondered, I think I’ll go stretch out on the grass and gaze up at the sky.
Me - Who am I? 
Great post, I think it depend at both our culture, but also how independent we are raised to be. Some people have been around family from their early years and other have been a lot alone, which can help, I think.
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Thank you, Irene. I think you’re right. It depends on many different factors. I’m glad that I was raised to be okay with being alone (although I rarely was).
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I learned also to be alone and today I still enjoy, even I also appreciate other people.
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I’m a loner. I too love the lovely sound of silence. I like people but often prefer to be alone. I am perfectly content all by myself.
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Silence is the most lovely sound of all. I’m like you, I enjoy being alone. It’s much more peaceful that way.
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Amen
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There is a difference between being alone and being lonely. I enjoy being alone, but there are times, despite cherishing my alone time, that I feel lonely.
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Wow…I feel honored. Thank you for dropping by after your hectic week.
You’re right, there is definitely a difference. It’s nice to be alone, but a person can only take so much of it before they get lonely. Makes me think of the movie ‘Cast Away’.
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I’m working my way back through the posts I’ve missed. Yes, the situation is “Cast Away” is taking being alone to an extreme. But at least he was alive. Better to be alone or lonely than dead, right?
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True. If given that choice, I’d prefer to be lonely. I’m not done here yet, and hope not to be anytime soon.
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Nature vs. nuture, Me Who? I like company and am at ease in a crowd. Yet I also am quite comfortable being Mark and Ellie B aka Dogamous Pyle. I think it is because I was an only child until my first of two sisters came along when I was 8 years old, but that is only conjecture.
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It’s good that you work well in both situations. It’s better to be well-rounded. Your sibling situation definitely explains it. I was always surrounded by siblings, but would often hide away in my room or outdoors.
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I was raised with MANY and seldom had alone time. I think I appreciate alone, crave alone time, but am comfortable and/or can “do” the crowded scene. Though preference is ‘less’ for comfort. I think it’s a different concoction of elements for each of us, with a different outcome for each as well. Great post.
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I think you’re right. Some people grow up in full households and continue wanting/needing people around, whereas others grow to prefer being alone. I suppose it all boils down to individual needs and wants regardless of a person’s background.
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Not sure….it’s the difference between introverts and extroverts. My husband and I are more introverted, as well as 2 of 3 of our kids. The third is very extroverted. Throughout life we can move between being extroverted and introverted. Some of us have a little of both. I just don’t know if it is the way a person is raised more than it is how a person interprets information based upon their age and experiences.
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I was probably an extroverted child, but I was considered odd by my peers so turned inward to save the pain. I sometimes wonder how different my life would be if I wasn’t forced into that decision.
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Maybe you are better for having experienced that, because it was a part of the equation that made you who you are today.
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Being an introvert vs extrovert definitely makes a difference, but you’re right that there are times for both. It’s good to be able to be in both situations as needed. I think you’re right about it depending on the person’s own experiences. Two people growing up in the same household could prefer two very different lifestyles.
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Never been the type to surround myself with people. I’d pick the cats or the dog usually! But sometimes, yes – I crave interaction. Which is why I blog, and am a FB junkie. But out in nature I never feel alone!
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Blogging is great for introverts! That’s certainly one reason (among many) that I enjoy it so much. It’s good that you crave interaction with others even through the midst of your introverted life. Same here – sometimes being around others is nice. There’s a time and place for everything.
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