Stop calling me depressed because I like to be alone

Alone but never lonely

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In a world of social media, we have convinced ourselves that we need to be constantly surrounded by companionship in order to have fun or be happy. Everywhere we look, we’re surrounded by pictures of someone else, feigning a life that is filled with excitement 100 percent of the time. Taylor Swift and her squad constantly parade around, showing women that they need others in order to feel secure.

I don’t need anybody else to be happy and neither should you.

just enjoying some sun all by my lonesome

As a high school sophomore I decided that sometimes my own company was just what I needed when I felt stressed out. After a long week of school and dance classes, all I wanted was to sit and relax in a comfortable silence in my bedroom. I read, wrote, watched tv, and made a copious amount of coffee during those nights staying in. The more I stayed in, the more I learned about myself as a person, and the happier I felt. I began to understand myself and reflect on what I thought about topics like feminism and politics, without the influence of other people.

At first, no one took notice of my loner status. But growing into the age of drinking, partying, and late nights by the beach, many people began to grow concerned. “You’re depressed,” my family told me. “You’re the hardest person to make plans with,” my friends said. “Just be normal.”

My personal favorite: “You’re so boring.”

While my lack of party skills may make me appear boring, if others became more comfortable with themselves, then they’d understand I’m not depressed at all. I am a happy, healthy young woman – content with going to a restaurant by myself, or going shopping all day without a friend to ask for outfit-approval. Yes, I have friends, but the greatest part about them is that I don’t need to see them every waking moment to know that they’re still there for me. I see them when I crave human presence or when I decide that an activity would be more fun with them.

Tip: More time alone leaves more time for selfies

Being comfortable with yourself is taking the first step into an independent life. Exile anyone (guy or girl) from your life who doesn’t treat you well because only you know your self-worth. You know that you’ll be okay by yourself. Spending time with someone who adds nothing positive to your life will do more harm than good. You don’t need someone’s constant attention to make you feel worth it.

Learn to love your own company. Learn to be independent. Learn to be happy while alone. Learn not to care what others think about what you do in your free time. And no matter how many people call you depressed, continue to be content with your alone time.

As Hailee Steinfeld once said, I’m “gonna love myself, no, I don’t need anybody else.”