During the honeymoon stage of a relationship, all you want to do is hang out with your partner – all the time. You sleep together, you eat together, and you go everywhere together. But once you start to get comfortable, things can change. Even when you have a significant other such as a spouse or life partner, you can be alone without doing everything together.
Some people may feel bad if they enjoy an activity without their partner around. You can be assured that there are plenty of things that you can (and even should) do without your partner. What is more, you don’t have to feel bad about it! Here are some of the things you can do without your partner (that you should never feel guilty about).
Here Are 5 Things To Never Feel Bad About Doing Alone In a Relationship
“Being alone and actually sitting with our own thoughts can lead to such growth and realizations that are rare in our everyday busy lives.” – Kourtney Kardashian
1. Sleep alone
Many people get defensive over the idea of sleeping without their partner by their side. But sometimes, two people just aren’t compatible when it comes to sleeping arrangements. Some people toss and turn, while others tend to be blanket hogs or they “starfish” across the bed. If you’re not getting enough sleep at night, you shouldn’t feel bad about sleeping alone. Having a guest room is perfect for sneaking away to have the bed to yourself. After all, getting enough sleep is important for an overall healthy body, so you should never feel bad about putting your health first.
2. Watch a movie
For some people, watching a movie is a couple’s activity. The truth is, there’s no reason you should deny yourself the joy of going out to see a movie just because your partner doesn’t want to go. It’s a good idea to have some alone time when you need it, even when you have a partner or spouse. Going out to a movie alone isn’t that big of a deal. Maybe you and your partner have different tastes in movies and can’t decide on what to see. That’s okay! It’s totally normal to go see a movie by yourself.
3. Exercise
Are you a fan of your partner seeing you at your lowest and sweatiest? Didn’t think so. Exercising isn’t a lot of fun for most people. Performing this strenuous activity alongside your partner can just be awkward, or downright uncomfortable. It’s okay if you’re more of a jog-alone kind of person. Or maybe you like to use your exercise time to zone out and let your thoughts go. Some people feel about exercise the way they feel about meditation: it is a one-person activity. There’s no reason to feel bad about hitting the gym on your own or jogging around the block without your partner. Exercising alone is something everyone can do without their partner and shouldn’t feel bad about it.
4. Go out with friends
Dallan Flake, a sociologist at BYU, believes that it’s extremely important for people in relationships to have friends outside of the partnership. In fact, Flake even says that it is unrealistic to expect your partner to be able to be “everything” that you needed. Friendship is an important part of relationships. Going out with your friends – even without your partner – gives you both a needed break and gives you varied socialization that will be sure to keep you happy. You should never feel bad about going out with your friends – in fact, it’s highly encouraged!
5. Travel
Need a vacation? Maybe you want to visit friends or family that live a few states over. Traveling by yourself is something that many partnered people tend not to do. After all, isn’t traveling with your partner twice the fun? Sure, taking vacations together can be a great way to spark the romance, but traveling alone has its benefits too. It’s okay to plan a weekend getaway alone every now and again. Everyone needs time on their own, and traveling is one of the great ways to get that necessary time. Don’t feel bad about planning a trip away from your partner. You’ll both enjoy the time alone. What is more, you will both be excited to see each other at the end of the trip.
Final thoughts
Doing things alone is a great way to keep your independence, establish your boundaries, and keep a relationship from becoming stagnant. Of course, you and your partner likely enjoy doing many things together. And that’s great! At the same time, there are many things that can be done alone. No one should have to feel bad about seeking out some alone time away from their partner.
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