Growing up I hated not being around people. I was what you might call a serial extrovert. If there was an opportunity to be with people, I wanted to be there. Anything to not have to do something by myself.
I’m still on the extroverted side, but my need for people has changed a lot in the last several years. Probably the biggest change happened while I was living in NC in a cabin in the woods for a year. It’s crazy what that will do to a man. I became so much more used to being on my own and because I was forced to do this, I was forced to enjoy it more.
Even though I was forced to do it more, it still felt against my nature, so I did everything in my power to keep the alone time to a minimum. Every chance I could I would get together with people and play music, play sports, games, eat, etc.
In a lot of ways, I think I missed out on a lot of fun I could have had because of this.
It hasn’t been until the last year when I’ve really realized the freedom I truly have to do my own thing. Even once I moved to Missouri for a year after NC, I struggled to do things on my own. Part of that was because I had no money to do anything, but still.
Now that I’m working a job where I’m at least making some money, I’ve started experiencing the freedom I have in that. The first couple of times I went out on what I would call “solo adventures,” I legitimately didn’t enjoy them. I just kept thinking about how much more fun they would be if I had other people on them.
This past weekend I went on a spontaneous camping trip at 11pm on a Saturday. It was one of the best decisions I’ve made. I thoroughly enjoyed my time and for the first time, I didn’t feel bad not having others. I still had thought of the joy that would come from having certain other people on the trip, but I genuinely enjoyed the time I had to myself and God.
I was able to focus in on what mattered in life and stop thinking about the many unnecessary things clogging my brain. I enjoyed being on my own.
Important I think not to get too used to this. Having contentment in being by oneself can very easily turn into a selfish lack of desire to spend time with anyone. I’ve felt that trend in myself before and I pray that I steer clear of that fall forever.
Even if you are an extrovert who thrives on being with others, I encourage you to go on some solo adventures and see how your mindset shifts. Go and enjoy God’s nature without your thoughts crowding your mind.