Alone time and life

United States
January 27, 2010 7:57pm CST
Hello all. I was just watching a TV show where a busy mom, wife, and loving relative literally found her alone time for 15 minutes in the bathroom at her place of work. She read for a while, polished her toenails, and listened to music. Life always seems a bit more enjoyable if we have some alone time each day, even if it is not much. Where do find your alone time? What do you like to do with it? Has it made your life more enjoyable? Karen
6 people like this
25 responses
• Boston, Massachusetts
28 Jan 10
Hi Karen, It's healthy to find time to be alone with ourselves. It will keep our sanity in-tuck. i used to do this to recharge my energies and at the same time clear my mind. i pray a lot and keep myself relax. i love being with myself. time to commune with my soul and heart. it's a self affirmation for me giving myself and i together.
1 person likes this
• United States
28 Jan 10
Hello Ms I agree...some alone time is vital to our sanity! Like you, I often pray or think or search my soul when I am alone and un-busy. It helps :) Thank you for your response. Karen
• United States
30 Jan 10
You are so right :)
• Boston, Massachusetts
29 Jan 10
when i am so busy and can't really find time to have a good break---to go out and spend a day outside alone or just stay home inside the room?...i lock myself inside the bathroom with close lights for about 10-15 minutes and after that i feel so good. i am recharged. we just need to be innovative enough to get a little time to be alone with ourselves. thanks karen.
1 person likes this
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
28 Jan 10
wHEN I WORKED & my kids were still at home i had to have a little time to myself so i got up early every morning to do that. Now that's all i have.
1 person likes this
• United States
28 Jan 10
Hello Jo...it's one of life ironies :-\ When my kids were small, I'd either get up a little early, or I would stay up an hour or so longer at night, just to enjoy some quiet and some alone time. And yes, I do have plenty of that now! Ugh...too much at times. Karen
1 person likes this
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
28 Jan 10
Morning Karen, i'm just glad we can still be at home.Have a great thursday.
1 person likes this
• United States
28 Jan 10
Morning, Jo...me, too! Happy Thursday...it's cold, but sunny here. Love that sunshine in the winter time :)) xoxo
1 person likes this
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
28 Jan 10
Hi peacefulWmn, I need some alone time each day. If too many days go by without it, I turn into a bear! There was a time when I had 3 of my girls at home and worked full time 2nd shift and also took care of my little grandson so his mom could work. It took quite a bit of creative thinking to find an ounce of alone time ever. I managed tho. Sometimes it would be late at night even just an hour of reading or getting on the computer helped. I felt better losing an hours sleep than had I gone without having that time.
1 person likes this
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
30 Jan 10
I think it is important to make that time no matter what.
1 person likes this
• United States
31 Jan 10
I agree!
• United States
30 Jan 10
Hello Sid I think almost all of us need some of that each day, or out sanity would fly out the window! You did like I used to...lose the extra hour of sleep just to unwind and rejuvenate :) Karen
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85147)
• Shingle Springs, California
2 Feb 10
I read, I watch TV, I get online... Sometimes I even manage to do it without getting interrupted for 15 minutes. I also volunteer at a no kill cat rescue. Petting the kitties is good therapy (even if I am allergic). :-)
1 person likes this
• United States
4 Feb 10
LOL Dawn There are fewer interruptions once the kiddos are all grown up. Then it actually gets TOO quiet at times lol. Happy mylotting to you. Karen
@yugasini (12893)
• Secunderabad, India
31 Jan 10
hi karen madam, if i have leisure time,i will attend net and doing mylot discussions,giving responses,trekpay adds and other things in the net,if still i have leisure time i will watch tv and daily i am reading news paper and walking in the home itself,have a nice day
1 person likes this
@yugasini (12893)
• Secunderabad, India
2 Feb 10
hi karen madam, thanksf or the comment, have a nice day
• United States
1 Feb 10
Hello Yugasini These all sound like wonderful passtimes...good things to do when one has leisure time to oneself. Thank you for your response. Karen
@myramae19 (667)
• Philippines
28 Jan 10
yes, I sometimes do polish my toenails and my fingernails, listen to music, read any books, blow dry my hair. I always have much time..I'm just at home all day, taking care of my three year old son, and I enjoy it, spending time with my little one, makes me feel like a fulfilled woman.
1 person likes this
• United States
28 Jan 10
Hello Myramae I loved that I was able to stay home and raise my children until they were in school. I feel it was the most challenging and most rewarding "job" in the world. Also the most important one I've ever done. I am glad you are able to do that, too :) Karen
• United States
30 Jan 10
• Philippines
28 Jan 10
Yes, it's always be a pleasure to us mother.cheers
1 person likes this
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
29 Jan 10
Well I have alone time now But when I was working and the Children where Younger, no matter what time I went to bed I would always have half an hour downtime before I went to sleep if the Ex Husband was home I would stay downstairs and have it but it was rare he was in the bed which suited me fine lol Every Night I would have that half an hour
1 person likes this
• United States
30 Jan 10
Hi Gabs It seems a number of us stole those quiet times before sleep or when first getting up. It helps make a hectic life more manageable. I'm glad you took that half hour :) Karen
@savypat (20216)
• United States
29 Jan 10
Mine is very early in the Morning before anyone is up. I use it for prayer and then I watch the painting lessons and cooking lessons on PBS. This seems to be a good start to the day for me.
1 person likes this
• United States
30 Jan 10
Hi Pat. This is also a good time to grab a few quiet moments...and prayer, well that is one of my mainstays, too, and has been since I was just a child. Karen
@jlamela (4898)
• Philippines
28 Jan 10
I do agree with you!It's always wonderful to spend some quiet moment with ourselves because it is our due to feel good while savoring peaceful time alone. Personally I spend most of my time in my room alone, writing stories in my journal and editing my works in the laptop. I choose to be alone while doing writing and researching stuff to concentrate.
• United States
28 Jan 10
Hi Jlamela Like you, I do best at my writing or any creative thing when I have the alone time and some quiet. It definitely makes concentration easier. :)) Karen
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
30 Jan 10
For me I have found that it is only possible for it to happen when the rest of my family is in bed. So, I find my alone time for about an hour each night after my husband and my children have gone to bed. What I do with my time really depends on my mood. Sometimes I will just take an hour and scrapbook with no one there to nag me with questions every single minute. Sometimes I will take a hot bath with some of my favorite bubble bath and a good book. Other times I will watch television for an hour that doesn't have to do with dirty jobs, myths, or children singing.
1 person likes this
• United States
31 Jan 10
Hi Dorann. That was when I snuck my alone time, too. I'd just do as I wished, something relaxing and enjoyable, and it was enough :) I like the things you choose to do...pleasant things. Karen
@MrKennedy (1978)
28 Jan 10
Before I had to move back in with the parents, I had lots of alone time, which I used to study, watch films, read books and just generally do stuff when I had no arrangements with any friends or family. I felt like I could just relax and unwind without being judged on my actions
1 person likes this
• United States
28 Jan 10
Hi MrKennedy Ah, you've described perfectly what living on one's own allows...the ability to be your most real self with no judgments passed by anyone. I imagine you miss that. Karen
@arystine (1273)
• Philippines
28 Jan 10
My alone time is every night during weekdays, when I am alone in my bedroom in the city. I hang out with my family every weekend. I appreciate time alone because it makes me productive. I usually read, reflect and decorate my room when I am alone. I have not been enjoying it that much because sometimes I feel lonely. But I appreciate how being alone makes me in independent and stronger.
1 person likes this
• United States
28 Jan 10
Hi Arystine It sounds as though you've discovered a nice balance between being alone and interacting with family. Like you, I am often most creative when I have the quiet and solitude. But yes, too much solitude leads to lonliness. Karen
• India
28 Jan 10
hello)Life is given by god.when i m free i listen music,play games on laptop.I want my life full of enjoy and have no tenson............
• United States
28 Jan 10
Hello Rajbala Yes indeed, life is a freely given gift from God :) I think most of us, like you, long to live a full life as free from tension as possible. At least when the tensions and crises do come, we can turn to God and others for help in getting through them. I am glad you've many ways to enjoy your life and your alone times. Karen
@igconsta (19)
• Philippines
28 Jan 10
I agree to that. We really need to have at least an hour or two of alone time and life. Everyday I take care of the kids,their needs and everything,the household chores etc.So its really tiring so once a week i make sure that i spend an hour or two inside the bathroom feeling the freshness of water with soft music and aroma scent candles to unwined myself and its really works on me .
• United States
30 Jan 10
Hi Igconsta That sounds heavenly. We do need that, especially when our children are young...they do need us so much. And it's important to us...and them...that we take those special times to recharge our batteries. Karen
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
28 Jan 10
Hiya Karen! 15 minutes that sounds like pure bliss! I very rarely get time alone and I crave it, because I don't like being around people and need peace and silence sometimes I have to wait till I am driving because that is one of the only sancturies I have left, I am lost without my car it's my independence and my escape in it I can go anywhere! I hate noise and even a dog barking, or children screaming irritates me and I guess I have a low tolerance zone for noise and sometimes people! If I have time alone I like to read, contemplate, work on the computer or even draw when my mind is on it, I used to write a lot of poetry in my darker days, ironically I used to have a lot of my time when my ex was at work, now where I live I hardly get any but I am still much happier to be away from my ex. I would love to be on my own desert island for a week providing I had my home comforts of course and away from any other living soul or creature.
• United States
28 Jan 10
Hello Wolfie Like you, I crave some peace and solitude, at least some, each day. You're right, the car is the perfect place, especially when driving in the country side where the traffic and city-type noise and confusion are minimal. Or yes, losing oneself in a good book or doing something enjoyable online. I hope you can get back to your poetry. There is something very therapeutic about writing as way to "get it out" or "sort it all out." Karen
• India
28 Jan 10
I think, I get lot of time alone. I get up early in the morning, this is the time when I am alone after that I hardly find any time alone until I get back to my bed. And yeah during work hours I get lot of free time with my work.
1 person likes this
• United States
28 Jan 10
Hi Krisk I think many of us get up early or go to bed late, as that is sometimes the only way we can make alone time for ourselves...especially in the midst of a busy family! I am glad you do that :) Karen
@se7enthbird (8307)
• Philippines
28 Jan 10
i can get my alone time as long as i want specially when i am taking a rest in our room. i will play my video games or just read a magazine. my wife gets her alone time in the bathroom also. its a big NO NO to knock while she is in there. she will get mad if i do that. well of course except for emergency. she said she want to relax while taking a bath so knocking at the door wont make her feel relax. when she wants to watch something on dvd and our son is taking a nap i give her space to watch. awhile ago she was watching its complicated and she was crying har har har. cute
1 person likes this
• United States
28 Jan 10
Hi 7 You and your wife both have wonderful ways and places to just unwind, relax, and find some alone time. :) Seems a lot of us retreat to our rooms with a favorite passtime or yes, soak a long time in the bath! Karen
@bingchen (1119)
• China
28 Jan 10
i think that quite place fit for me.because i often like to think about something and write what i want in quite place,noisy sound disturb my thought and work,i would not finish it.sometimes i hope to think about my future,what i have finish someting or not.it is important for me to think about owned life,this need quite place to think about alone,because the private life is not easy to finish,i often met many difficulties and setback,i need alone time to peace my feeling and give me time to adhere to my belief again.
1 person likes this
• United States
28 Jan 10
Hi Bingchen I find it easiest to write when it is quiet, too...too much noise, and I just cannot think! Same way when I just need to think or make a decision that is important. I hope you seek those alone times to sort out your life often. Best wishes, Karen
@myzire72 (1154)
• Singapore
28 Jan 10
Everyone needs some solitude time - time to be alone and away from the usual din of daily life. Sometimes, my wife will bring the kids out to buy some groceries, or to the playground, while I choose to stay at home. After they are gone, the house becomes unusually quiet and I will simply sit back and relax on the sofa. Sometimes I would play some jazz music and indulge in the calmness and serenity. Yes, we do need some special time for ourselves once in a while.
• United States
28 Jan 10
Hi Myzire Yes, everyone does! You're right...when raising a family, those moments of just enjoying the quietness of a house when others are gone is precious. Gives a person the chance to unwind :)) Karen
• China
28 Jan 10
I think everyday we need a little alone time to do some personal things.If we have a low temper,we need a quiet place and alone time to relax and thinking.and we need a alone time to take a SPA,listen music,read novel.I enjoy alone time very much.
• United States
28 Jan 10
Hi Fairytale As you said, when we just want to think or relax and renew ourselves, quiet alone time is necessary. Like you, I enjoy mine very much. The idea of adding some music or creating a spa atmosphere, or actually going to a spa...those are very appealing. Karen