1 . Ways to Embrace Solitude (独处)

For many, being alone is something they shy away from because it’s like loneliness. But loneliness and solitude are not the same.    1    . The latter offers a chance to direct attention to self-care and self-discovery without outside influences or expectations from others. It sharpens your concentration and helps you focus on your tasks and also boosts your creativity regularly.

Psychologists even consider solitude as important as relationships and view the ability to be alone as a sign of healthy emotional development.    2    , just as people learn social skills to guide themselves in the world of relationships successfully. And some specific strategies may make it a constructive, enjoyable experience.

Enjoy solitary activities

People who enjoy solitude find satisfaction and meaning when getting absorbed in a hobby, reading for pleasure, or getting out in nature. They rarely experience boredom when they’re alone and genuinely enjoy themselves while doing something interesting.

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In solitude, buried feelings, memories, or problems can surface. Rather than avoid being discouraged by them, you can learn to engage in the regulation with curiosity, using the private time to explore your feelings without judgment. Accepting and expressing them safely helps you self-regulate and release stress.

Be self-reflective

People who enjoy solitude are willing to self-reflect.    4    , reflecting on their values, or considering the bigger picture. Instead of going round about situations you can’t control, self-reflection invites self- awareness, bringing you closer to insight about who you are.

Know when to exit solitude

    5    , if you begin to feel lonely or your thoughts turn to self-harm. It is equally important to know when it’s time to leave solitude and seek the company of others.

2 . Being a young adult has got to be one of the most difficult times in a person’s life. You’re at a stage when you don’t feel like a child anymore and you aren’t ready to take up all the responsibilities that adulthood brings with it either.     1    

At this stage, there is a need for expression of thoughts and feelings. But they don’t understand that this need to express themselves can’t be used in whichever way they want, but has to be used with caution.     2    

    3     There is a need to be an independent adult, yes, but they haven’t learned the ropes of it yet and therefore when parents try to discipline them, they want to oppose and put forth their rights as adults. Therefore, they often go through the “no one understands me” stage, which can lead to many problems like anger and frustration.

In addition, being part of a group and developing healthy relationships and getting acceptance from them are of prime importance to young adults.     4     When these things happen, they often get into a self-pitying mode.

There is an innate need to stand on their own feet.     5     If there is any hurdle on that path, it leads to varied psychological problems like stress, depression, and anger.

These are some of young adults’ emotional problems. If you’ve been faced with them, seek help and treat them.

3 . The popularity of Facebook has caused a shift in how people realize themselves: the “like” button has become nothing more than a self-esteem (自尊) booster.     1     It can take years and years, but there are shortcuts you can use to achieve it.

    2     You’re not arrogant (自大的) if you love yourself. In fact, arrogance is often the foundation of low self-esteem and insecurity. Try this exercise: stand in front of the mirror and tell your reflection everything you love about yourself. Accept what you don’t like about yourself. This may feel uncomfortable at first, but change often does.

Do you socialize with negative people?     3     This may seem unfair, but those negative people will simply strengthen what you don’t like about yourself. People like to socialize with happy, positive people. The happiest people in life are the ones that look at what they have, not what they don’t have.

There are a lot of people who aren’t aware they have a negative voice in their head.

    4     Whenever you hear a negative comment, immediately replace it with a positive one. Your brain is like a computer: whatever command you input, it responds, so if you ask it a question like “why do I always mess up?” your brain will find plenty of examples to support it.

Celebrating your successes is another good way. We’re often so busy in life that we seldom take the time to stop and really reflect on what we’ve achieved. Take the time once a day to ask yourself what you’re proud of having achieved that day.     5     Remember that it’s not the outcome that’s always important, but the process.