The Naked Truth | Why having ‘me time’ isn’t selfish, but essential for living life to the full
- We are social by nature, but it’s better to spend high-quality time with yourself than engage in constant low-quality interaction with others
- Not to be confused with loneliness, solitude allows us to restore our mental and emotional calm, making us more focused and productive
“Man is by nature a social animal”, wrote the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle. What he meant is that social interaction is an inalienable part of life.
But though we may be social by nature, every now and then it doesn’t hurt to give ourselves some “alone time” as a reminder that we don’t always need company or other people to add meaning to our existence. It is also important to remind ourselves that being self-sufficient, both mentally and emotionally, is not a bad thing.
Putting ourselves first by shutting out our loved ones and having some temporary “me time” does not mean we are being selfish.
This form of solitude, the duration of which can be determined by your personal need, can offer notable benefits, such as promoting mental and emotional calmness, which enables us to be more focused and productive.
Blocking out everyday distractions allows us greater insight into our inner world and can make us deeply and genuinely happy. It can also boost our sense of identity and self-worth.