If you want to enjoy your own company, say goodbye to these 12 behaviors

Put an end to these behaviors and you’ll be able to enjoy your own company.

A woman with shoulder-length blonde hair and bangs stands by a window, looking directly at the camera. She is wearing a white shirt over a black top and gently holds a curtain aside, with her reflection visible in the glass.

Do you like spending time alone, with only your own thoughts for company? Probably not, or why would you have clicked through to this article? It’s time to explore some of the more common behaviors that you need to let go of if you are ever to be at ease spending time by yourself.

1. Say goodbye to negative self-talk.

A person wearing a gray hoodie and blue jeans sits on stone steps with their head down, hands clasping the top of their head. The person appears to be in distress or deep thought.

It’s difficult to be alone when you aren’t kind to yourself. Constantly criticizing yourself and harsh self-judgment undermines your sense of self-worth. Self-compassion empowers you to replace those unsettling, negative thoughts with peaceful, positive thoughts that make it easier to enjoy yourself.

2. Say goodbye to seeking external validation.

Four people in professional attire, three women and one man, stand in a row with smiles, each giving a thumbs-up. They are in an indoor setting, possibly an office, suggesting a positive, collaborative, or successful work environment.

Relying on others to validate your worth may make it difficult to feel content by yourself. Internal validation is understanding that you do not need the words or actions of other people to know you are a good, capable human being. If you can validate yourself, you don’t require others to do it for you.

3. Say goodbye to perfectionism.

A man with short hair is intently cleaning a stovetop with a blue cloth. The focus is on his concentrated expression as he leans closely to ensure the surface is spotless.

Striving for perfection is exhausting, leading to a constant state of dissatisfaction. Imperfection is a natural part of being human, and accepting this allows you to enjoy yourself as you are, rather than who you wish you were or who you think you should be.

4. Say goodbye to comparing yourself to others.

A person with long dark hair lies in bed, resting their head on a white pillow while looking at a smartphone held in their right hand. The person is under a white blanket, and the room has a soft blue light. The person has a pensive expression.

Comparison is the thief of joy because it leaves you feeling inadequate and wanting. It’s much easier to enjoy your own company when you aren’t spending that time comparing yourself to others. Instead, focus on your own path and the progress you have made and continue to make.

5. Say goodbye to overthinking.

A woman with dark hair is leaning against a white wall, looking pensive. She is wearing a black top and has her right hand resting on her forehead. Her expression appears contemplative and slightly troubled.

Overthinking can lead to anxiety and rob you of inner peace. Those who overthink usually have a difficult time being by themselves. The noise of other people gives them something else to focus on instead. Mindfulness can help you reduce rumination and calm your mental maelstrom.

6. Say goodbye to the fear of missing out (FOMO).

A man with short brown hair, wearing a checkered shirt and a dark apron, stands thoughtfully by a window with his hand on his chin. He appears to be deep in thought, gazing outside as sunlight streams in through the window.

Other people will have better and worse experiences than you. If you spend your time focusing on what you’re missing out on, then you won’t be able to just enjoy being by yourself. Instead, you’ll be focused on what else you could be doing to get what you’re missing out on.

7. Say goodbye to procrastination.

A woman with a frustrated expression sits at a cluttered desk with crumpled papers, a laptop, and a notebook. She rests her head on her hand, appearing tired or stressed. A bicycle, a mug, and some plants are visible in the background.

Looming tasks often cause stress, guilt, and anxiety. By handling responsibilities promptly, you can reduce those negative feelings so that you can relax guilt-free. The more your responsibilities stack up, the harder they are to get ahead of, and the less likely it is you’ll be able to wind down into your own company peacefully.

8. Say goodbye to overcommitting.

A woman with short gray hair and wearing a maroon shirt sits at a wooden table with her hand on her forehead, eyes closed, appearing stressed or tired. The background features a blurred living room with a lamp and cushions.

Many people fill their calendars to stay busy and avoid being alone. The issue is that this can quickly lead to burnout if you don’t learn to pace yourself. Instead, give yourself permission to rest and enjoy quiet moments. Limit your commitments so you have that time for yourself.

9. Say goodbye to avoiding time alone.

A woman with long dark hair and a plaid sweater sits alone at a bar, resting her face on her hand and looking pensive. In the background, a group of three women are enjoying themselves, smiling, and holding drinks. The setting appears to be a lively bar.

Some surround themselves with people to avoid loneliness. If you’re always around other people, you may not learn to appreciate solitude. Intentionally create space to spend time alone. Do some activities or a hobby that you can enjoy on your own. The more you do this, the easier it feels to be alone with only yourself for company.

10. Say goodbye to overusing social media.

A person with light hair in braids is holding a smartphone and smiling slightly. Various social media reaction icons, such as thumbs up, hearts, and smiley faces, are overlaid around the person, indicating engagement with content on their device.

Social media is a time-sink that can skew your perception of reality and make you feel worse. Algorithms of social media sites will feed you relevant content that will keep you angry and engaged. Set a limit for yourself by not using electronics for a while. Social media is a distraction that will keep you from enjoying yourself because you’re focused on what the algorithm is showing you instead.

11. Say goodbye to people-pleasing.

A woman with long, wavy hair wearing a white t-shirt stands against a bright yellow background. She is smiling and giving a thumbs-up gesture with her right hand.

People-pleasers constantly try to make other people happy at their own expense. Any free time you have to actually spend by yourself may get chewed up by other people taking advantage of you. You have to set and enforce boundaries so you can make time and space for yourself. And don’t feel bad about saying no to people—it’s not rude or selfish to care for yourself from time to time.

12. Say goodbye to ignoring your emotional needs.

A man in a red and black jacket stands on an empty, foggy road surrounded by tall trees. He looks pensively into the distance. The atmosphere is misty, and visibility is low.

Allowing yourself to feel and process your emotions gives you more freedom to enjoy time with yourself. Alone time can be a time to recharge your emotional batteries by doing activities that nurture your emotional well-being. However, you can’t do that if you aren’t allowing yourself to feel. That includes feeling okay and enjoying your own company.