Do you like being alone?

I love being alone. Some people might think it's weird, but I love it. I love being able to reflect and think by myself. I especially love doing things by myself. I prefer eating, watching TV, listening to music, and running errands alone. It gives me a sense of independence that most other things don't. 


When I'm alone, the things I do become twice as interesting as they would be if I were to do them with others. I love having time to think and process the world around me, which would be harder to do with another person or group of people. Don't get me wrong, I still love hanging out with my friends and family, but nothing compares to time for myself. For example, I love visiting a spot near my house with a dock overlooking a small lake. I've gone there with friends, but I've also gone alone. At a place like that, I find more satisfaction in sitting down and soaking in all of the ambient sounds of nature rather than conversing with friends. It's just the tranquility of the location that fills me with joy, and I love spending time there alone to take it all in. 


I also love eating by myself. Yes, while I'm at school, I enjoy spending time with my classmates and talking about life while we eat. However, outside of school, I prefer to eat alone. Yes, I still eat with my family at the dinner table; I'm not a total weirdo. Occasionally, I'll make myself a little meal and enjoy it while watching my favorite TV show. 


Some people might agree with me, and others might not. Regardless, being alone is something I find rather satisfying. This doesn't mean I don't understand those who love others' company. I, too, love doing things with my friends. Whether going out for food or hanging out at someone's house, I do enjoy the company of others. 


There are a lot of good things that come from people spending time together. Ideas are shared, laughs are exchanged, and there are more threads of conversation. It's also more fun to play Monopoly with more than one person.


I like using Fortnite to explain my stance on being alone. Playing "squads," or in a group of four, is very fun, especially with fun people. You and your friends get to laughing, yelling, and playing together. If you need ammunition in a pinch, one of your teammates will give you some. If you need shield potions or a medical kit, one of your teammates might have a spare one for when your health is low. If you get knocked down by an enemy, one of your friends can revive you and give you another chance to play. If you unfortunately get eliminated in squads, a teammate can collect your "reboot card" and bring you back into the game. It's nice to have support, and it's especially enjoyable when the whole team works together to get the elusive "Victory Royale." Playing with friends offers advantages that playing by yourself wouldn't; in some cases, it's more fun. 


Playing "solo," however, brings a sense of self-accomplishment. There isn't anyone to provide you with heals, nobody to reboot you when you get eliminated, and nobody to give you extra ammunition if you're running out. This means it's up to YOU to carry yourself to the "Victory Royale." Playing solo is fun, too. You can wander the map looking for opponents, harvesting materials, and building your arsenal. This sense of independence is one I sometimes prefer to the team experience. Sure, winning a game of Fortnite with your friends is fun and exciting because you get to share the win with other people, but winning a game by yourself is much more rewarding because you know you accomplished it. 





Comments

  1. MasonNovember 30, 2023 at 9:09 AM

    It's interesting that you not only appreciate being alone but even actively seek/value it. I really like how you talk about that dock because it's a great description. It paints a great description and not only that, you articulate the difference between being alone and with friends really well, and how each has its advantages and disadvantages. I really like this essay because what I gather is that you don't bash social interaction but rather acknowledge that social interactions enhance your experiences being alone. Your Fortnite analogy does a good job of showing how some experiences can be more rewarding in a way through self-accomplishment. Great post, you articulate everything well!

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  2. SwapnilK.December 6, 2023 at 7:16 PM

    I really love this essay. You put a really funny touch and it entertained me throughout the essay. I like how you connect it to Fortnite to explain the way you think about being alone. As funny as the analogy is, it actually connects to your point surprisingly well. I also love the detail that you put to support your point. You put a lot of relatable points and also show some vulnerability which allows the reader to relate to the topic well. I like the universality that you put throughout your essay and the fact that you admit that people like different scenarios. I think you could add a bit deeper reflection after your Fortnite analogy, but other than that, great job with this essay!

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  3. Nyla Kyles December 8, 2023 at 3:25 PM

    I really like this essay I think the way you describe different things you enjoy doing alone flows really well (especially with your word choice). I think you do a good job introducing multiple perspectives by talking about how you can also see why doing different activities with people is enjoyable. You also do a good job introducing a universal perspective. I think the one thing you could maybe add is better conclusion, I feel like where it stands currently isn't complete. I think If you related playing solo to your real life in a more direct sense it would seem more complete. Overall good job.

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  4. Priya HDecember 8, 2023 at 9:45 PM

    This is a great essay! It is really relatable; I agreed with all the perspectives you give, and I've had basically the exact same experience as you about the dock scenario that you described, so that example really helped me understand your point of view. You have a great balance of narration and reflection, and the Fortnite metaphor is a fun way to help the reader get insight into why you enjoy being alone. You definitely explore multiple perspectives on the topic, and there is a nice universality touch. It flows really well, but one thing might be to expand a little more on your fifth paragraph so that you could better transition into the paragraph about the Fortnite analogy. Overall, this is really well done!

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