By Elsa Watland

One rainy Saturday over the summer I found I was alone and I didn’t like it.

My friends were on vacation or not answering their phones and my parents were gone for the weekend; I couldn’t even use the lame excuse, “My parents wanted me to stay home.” I found I had no plans and nothing to do. Sure, I could hang out in my sweats, bake some cookies, watch a movie and turn in early … on a Saturday night. But I felt uneasy; I couldn’t recall the last time I had stayed home on a weekend and done nothing. Quite frankly, I had no idea what to do with myself — I wasn’t bored, just confused. So I found myself reverting to writing and reflecting on why I was afraid of the concept of being alone.

After rationalizing the situation, I realized that it is expected of teens to keep busy with homework, sports, community service and more. Because they are so busy, teens never have to opportunity to be alone. No, doing homework alone in your room does not count. Being along doesn’t involve cell phones, music devices or the Internet either. These are mechanisms that allow people to escape loneliness. The word “alone” has been labeled negatively, but why? We all need that “alone time” once in a while in order to keep sane and healthy. How ridiculous is it that I had no idea what to do with myself when faced with loneliness?

During school, I don’t have a moment to spare, in between clubs, homework and volunteering. I never have time to be alone or collect myself and just do nothing. It is times like that rainy summer day when I am alone, that I have difficulty coping with the situation because it is so alien to me. I feel like kids are forced to rush through life, but we need to slow down. Even kids in elementary school are dating, and missing out on the innocence of childhood. How can society be allowing this to happen? So on that rainy Saturday as I was having difficulty processing such a strange emotion, I was conciliated slightly as I realized that this time was necessary for me and I must take advantage of it.

Why is loneliness something we fear? Being alone is a part of life and at some point we all must experience it. Whether it is attending a new school, starting a job or living the single life, it is something that we mustn’t hide from. So I challenge you to take a few moments a day, a week or a month, to be purely alone with yourself. Try it sometime, maybe you won’t like it, but it might teach you something about yourself.

Elsa Watland is an Inglemoor High senior.