I have a history of exiting family parties in order to read, excusing myself from networking events to find a bathroom and center myself, and leaving early from late-night bashes to have an hour or so to unwind before falling asleep.When I was younger, I was the girl at sleepovers who went to bed early. I\u2019ve been giving myself space since age 7.<\/p>\n

Sometimes we need time away from people. But a solitary desire\u2015no matter what the period of time\u2015is a feeling not always valued by society. We have a tendency to call Walden Pond-esque behavior crazy.<\/p>\n

I know people who are \u201cafraid\u201d to be alone. They find it boring, depressing, lonely. Our culture values social experiences: meaningful conversations, building relationships, family time, girls\u2019 nights, and spending time with significant others. We are social creatures.<\/p>\n

But can we celebrate ourselves, by ourselves?<\/p>\n

I\u2019m alone a lot. I go for walks, listen to music, learn something new, marvel at the stars. I expand the essence of time. I smile, I forgive, and fall in love with myself. And I come back to my relationships complete and whole.<\/p>\n

My advice to you today is not to \u201ccarve out five to ten minutes a day for yourself\u201d or to \u201cpick up a hobby that can allow you to be alone\u201d (although that\u2019s good advice). My advice is for you to take as much time for yourself as you need.<\/p>\n

Because your love for others is at its best when you love you.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Meagan Roppo has been a student of meditation and yoga, as well as a 60-hour trained advocate for women, for the past four years. She has dedicated her time and passion to women\u2019s crisis shelters, feminist studies, and writing on women\u2019s issues. By founding She Enlightened in 2014, Meagan encourages and empowers girls & women to bring forth the unique gifts, voices, and light shining inside each of them. Meagan currently works as Chief Operating Officer of Young Professional Women in Energy, a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit that works to employ more women in the energy industry. <\/em>http:\/\/www.sheenlightened.com<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Imagery by Kristina Carter, CAKE&WHISKEY Cover Issue 2<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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