Does spending time alone give you the title of loneliness? Plenty of people think that spending time alone is embarrassing or isolating. They assume this leads to loneliness and depression, but in this scenario, that’s not always true. It is healthy for teenagers to spend quality time alone so they can discover themselves and what they enjoy most.
Why do teenagers spend time alone?
Regardless if someone has a lot of friends, people still choose to spend time alone which doesn’t always mean assuming the worst for someone. Teenagers crave time alone. They allow themselves to spend time alone to understand themselves, especially when caught up with other thoughts.
For teenagers to understand alone time, is the difference between a want and a need. You need that time to regulate your mood and better your mental mind. For example, teenagers need to grow physically and mentally. One is not going to grow when they are surrounded by people all day long.
Being productive is not always good
In this generation, many high school students are either working or playing a sport. The overstimulation a teen may feel is overwhelming. The body cannot process going to school, playing a sport, and working right after for weeks straight. The mind needs time to rest and take a step back.
To find what you are passionate about, you need time to think. Even if you discover yourself to only love certain things, there is always more to everything.
Teenagers don’t need validation from anyone else
Independence comes from finding time to figure out what is needed in life. When spending several hours alone, thoughts can be gathered and trapped in emotion to better understand hypothetical how they feel on the inside. This can help define their sadness, happiness, stress, frustration, etc…
Things to do to be alone
A very popular thing teenagers do is go to the gym. Even though they are surrounded by others, it is a good way to gather your thoughts, listen to music, and focus on yourself. Working out keeps the body and mind going while recharging yourself. Another way is walking or jogging. This can be a limited exercise and something you can do when you need a break from everyone. You can walk on a treadmill, around the block, and/or
Do you think teenagers should spend time alone?
Anna Kasztelan, a student, has an opinion about spending time alone. Her words, “I think teenagers should spend quality time by themselves. This is healthy because they need time away from everyone surrounding them. A good way to enhance this time is to go shopping at places that they love and go for a walk, something with nature specifically. I usually spend time with my sister, I dance outside of school which allows me to not have much time alone but that is okay”
I asked a mother/ teacher, what are your thoughts on teenagers spending time alone in high school? Kathryn Mollica says, “I think it is important for teenagers to spend time alone. When I was younger, I craved the feeling of going home and going to my room. Having social media around now is so different. I never had to worry about being attached to my phone/TV. I felt more of a relief.
