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10 reasons you should do more things by yourself this ski season
Before we get stuck into all the reasons why you should do more by yourself I want you to know that being alone isn’t the aim. Nobody should have to live their life alone. Spending time with others can bring so much joy into your life, but we spend so much of our lives by ourselves, it seems silly not to know how to feel content doing so.
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1. Being you.
We live in a world where it can be really challenging to just be yourself. There are so many pressures to be or live a certain way, put on a certain face, to earn more, or gain some kind of respect, or 'look professional', and although if there was any job that allowed you to be yourself, instructing is it. Nonetheless, spending small nuggets of time by yourself can be incredibly wholesome and teach you a lot about who you are, and who you want to be.
2. Reflection
We are too busy in our lives. It's hard to find the time to think about how life is going, consider whether we are on path to achieving our goals or what other things we could be doing. So make the time. You’ll probably find you already reflect upon your life and goals but it stresses you out because you haven't chosen to consciously do it, it has just caught up with you. If you combine a regular activity you already have with some conscious reflection you might just find that you feel the positive effects rather than it overwhelming you.
3. Peace and serenity
Also the same and opposite reason is true too. Too much pressure to live up to our own expectations and achieve our ambitious goals is a very real reality for most of us and therefore spending time to just be, free your mind, think about only the atmosphere around you, can also really help to center your mind and boost your self esteem.
4. Find the beauty in everywhere you go.
I've had the privilege of visiting many countries around the world as well as various destinations in my home country of England. I currently live in New Zealand which by many is considered one of the most naturally beautiful countries on the planet. But listen to me when I tell you, there is beauty wherever I go. Beauty can be found in the darkest of places. It can only be seen by those who open their mind to all the wonderful possibilities in life.
The jungle book film production is my absolute favorite film and the song "the bare necessities" couldn't tell this fact better. Smile at the things that bring you joy whether it is a good song on your playlist or a funny line in a book, a beautiful flower or the presence of a magnificent tree.
5. You're only strong and independent if you act like it.
Someone young, beautiful and very wise once told me that "Most of the time it's easier to just do something and think about how it made you feel afterwards". I've never been much of an impulsive person but now I admire so many people who do possess this trait as it is a little doorway to experiencing more of life.
I'll give you an example: I was with this friend at the beach and I looked at the cliff side and said "that looks awesome to jump off of" and before I could list the reasons why I wasn't so sure I would do it she just ran and jumped right off expecting me to follow. It was the best decision I made all week. So much fun.
And although I'm not telling you to go jump off cliffs 🤣, I do think that you should follow through with your crazy ideas more often.
Back to spending time by yourself and how this relates.. well when you're by yourself you don't have anyone else's nerves to persuade you otherwise, only your own! You can take the detour or walk the extra half an hour and be the strong independent proud person you set out to be.
6. The ability to share and inspire others
Once you've done it by yourself you have every opportunity to revisit it as a leader of the group, bringing your favorite people along and maybe even exploring even more new places. May your independence inspire those around you.
7. Friendships
When you're working a ski season, one of your goals might be to make true and lasting friendships with people. I have found that when I plan to do things by myself, sometimes I meet the people who are also truly interested in those activities, not just the people they do them with. I've also become a fan of inviting people last minute to go on mini walks or picnics or just reading a book together and since it's last minute and I was going to go either way, I have no reason to feel a lack of commitment or friendship from the person and it often leads to bigger more exciting plans with them anyway! People love to know that you're thinking of them, that you value their friendship, and that you are full of busy ideas, always up for beautiful adventures. You need to show people these things by inviting them! But go by yourself anyway because why not! 🤪
8. Learning
I am a strong believer that life is fullest when you're learning new things. It might not be the case for everyone but I love learning, it makes me feel alive, it gives me goals, a purpose, reasons to be proud of myself.
Spending more time by yourself can lead to you being able to invest in more time learning new things. Researching, reading, talking to people who are specialists in the subject. You don't have to sit at a laptop or read a book to learn either. Getting out by yourself is a chance to follow up on the curiosities that cross your mind. For instance, visiting a public garden and reading the plaque about the types of flowers, or going to a farmers market and talking to a stall owner. Going on a guided hike and learning about the history of the area and or land. Going skiing by yourself and finding a new run, or trying new terrain for the first time. The possibilities are endless.
9. Confidence and independence
Similar to point 5, the more you do the things you love, the more this confidence in being independent will shine through in your other endeavors. You may also learn to appreciate the help of others more and to recognize when help is needed, you’ll learn when you can think a little harder and patiently figure it out yourself.
10. Self love
This is the most important reason to do more things by yourself.
You know that all of those ideas you have will make you happy whether you do them alone or with others. If you sit and do nothing you're not nourishing anyone.
If you're struggling to find out what makes you happy by yourself. Or you feel you need a little inspiration, a place to start. I've written a list of some of the wonderful things I like to do both with and without other people. Hit subscribe! It's coming soon!
TheSkiNomad
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