Modern society has developed some negative associations with the idea of being alone.

When kids misbehave, parents send them to their rooms to sit in silence as a punishment for their bad behavior. Staying at home alone on a Friday or Saturday night is frowned upon. You’d be considered a “loser” for doing so and your friends would ask if you’re okay. We’ve been wired to believe that solitude is our enemy.

We’ve also confused “being alone” with “being lonely”. But that, of course, is not the case.

Being alone doesn’t necessarily cause loneliness and many people can feel lonely despite being in the constant presence of other people. Author Amy Morin describes it best when she says: “loneliness is about perceiving that no one is there for you. But solitude is about making a choice to be alone with your thoughts.”

The truth is, solitude is necessary for our well-being and potential success.

Every year, Bill Gates takes two “Think Weeks” to spend them alone in a cabin in the woods. He does it to escape the noise, read books, reflect on his progress and engage in deeper creative thought.

The point is this: it’s essential for your mental health and personal growth to learn how to spend time alone. And perhaps the greatest benefit to solitude is that it gives you a chance to learn more about yourself.

Research has come to prove that there are several long-term benefits to solitude.

1. Is allows you to learn more about yourself and find your own voice
2. It empowers you to become comfortable with who you are.
3. It boosts your creativity.
4. It gives you an opportunity to plan your life.
5. It improves your mental wellbeing.

You don’t have to go to a cabin in the woods to learn how to spend time alone. All it takes is to integrate 10 minutes per day to be alone with your thoughts.

Here’s how you can spend your alone time:

1. Meditate
2. Write in a journal.
3. Set goals.
4. Reflect on your goals.
5. Pay attention to your emotions.

Solitude is the key to higher self-awareness which then opens the door to change. As per Sheryl Sandberg’s words: “We cannot change what we are not aware of, and once we are aware, we cannot help but change.”

You need to give yourself the time you deserve to be with your mind, to look within, and engage in a meditative experience. You can sit in silence. You can journal. You can plan your week ahead. You can go for a walk in nature.

It doesn’t matter what you use your time alone for.

The most important thing is that you build the habit of embracing solitude and inviting more of it into your life. You’ll learn more about yourself and you’ll become more aware of your emotions. In short, it’s the best form of self-care.