THE BENEFITS OF BEING ALONE

CHRONIC LONELINESS CAN BE DETRIMENTAL TO OUR HEALTH. HOWEVER, FLYING SOLO IS DIFFERENT AND YOUR MIND WILL THANK YOU FOR DOING IT

A quarter of us admit to feeling lonely – and the problem is particularly heightened at this time of year.

But there’s a big distinction between feeling lonely and being alone. People commonly describe feeling dreadfully lonely in the middle of a huge crowd. Others say they feel perfectly content by themselves – and the key to this could be that they fully embrace flying solo.

It’s one of a handful of self-care ideologies shared by author Isa Kujawski in The Book Of Korean Self-Care. Here’s how we could all benefit from the “K-Wellbeing” practice of Honjok and eliminate the stigma of spending time alone.

CHALLENGINGCONVENTIONS

Honjok signifies someone “who willingly undertakes typical group or couples- oriented activities alone, such as dining and travelling”, explains Isa. 

“It embraces the idea that it’s normal to enjoy time alone and that being alone or single isn’t lonely or pitiful. It relieves people from the social expectation of having to get married, or maintain needless, superficial relationships in an already high-demand life.”

HOW TO INCORPORATE HONJOK INTO YOUR LIFE

NORMALISE THE ACT OF DOING THINGS BY YOURSELF

"Try to abandon the perceived awkwardness of being alone in public, says Isa. "Accept that most people are too busy living their own lives to judge you for being by yourself.