Kiran Athar
I’m the type of person who can go out and be sociable, but would rather be at home lounging with my cats and a good book! The problem is, I often get labeled as anti-social.
What most people don’t understand is that I simply enjoy my own company and don’t feel the need to be out 24/7. It doesn’t mean I don’t like being around people from time to time!
If this sounds like you, keep reading as I’m going to share 8 signs you’re not anti-social, you’re just happy and comfortable being alone!
1) You like socializing, but on your own terms
One of the first signs that you’re not anti-social, just comfortable being alone, is that you do enjoy going out and meeting up with friends but on your own terms…
For example, I love meeting my girlfriends for coffee or going for a beach walk in the afternoon. But do I want to do this 5 days a week?
Probably not.
That’s why I only arrange one or two social outings a week. It doesn’t mean I don’t love my friends or enjoy being around people, but I genuinely like doing stuff alone too!
Socializing on your own terms allows you to enjoy the best of both worlds!
2) You’re always up for a celebration or special event
But even if you’re like me and you enjoy seeing people when it suits you, that doesn’t mean you shy away from a loved one’s birthday or your best friend’s wedding.
People like us are up for having a good time when it comes to a significant event – we aren’t afraid to party and meet new people.
But with that being said, we also don’t feel the need to be out all the time!
So, if you’re someone who enjoys your own company, it doesn’t automatically make you anti-social. You’re there for the big things, you just don’t feel the need to overdo it!
3) You enjoy the solo life
Do you get a real sense of contentment and pleasure by spending time alone?
Whether that may be:
- Eating in a restaurant alone
- Wandering through museums
- Taking yourself out on dates
- Going out for solo walks
- Traveling by yourself
If you do the above, it’s another sign that you’re comfortable being alone. So, why is this also a sign of not being anti-social?
Well, inevitably if you do the above, you’re going to meet people. Especially traveling solo.
So it’s not a case of you rejecting others and staying holed up at home – you’re fine to get out into the big wide world and be exposed to people, but you’re also happy to do it alone!
Personally, I enjoy meeting new people when traveling solo, but for the most part, I’ll stick to my own company so that I’m not reliant on other people’s plans!
4) You don’t need other people to have a good time
Following on from my last point, another sign you’re not anti-social but enjoy being alone is that you’re not reliant on others to have fun!
Sure, you can have a great time with friends, but you’re also pretty happy to be in your own company.
This shows you’ve built a good relationship with yourself.
You don’t need validation from others and you certainly don’t need someone by your side to feel comfortable doing things – this may come across as anti-social to some but that’s simply because they don’t understand what it is to be comfortable in your own skin!
5) You’ve got a good friendship circle
Another surefire sign you’re not anti-social is that you’ve got good friends.
You’re likely someone who chooses their circle carefully – after all, if you enjoy your own company, you’re less likely to waste time on “fake friends” or people who you don’t vibe well with.
This shows that you do enjoy socializing – but only with the right people.
And since you enjoy your alone time, you’ve probably got a group of friends who understand and accept that you’re not one to hang out with every single day!
This leads me to my next point:
6) You don’t feel social pressure to be out all the time
Look, it’s an uncomfortable truth that most people go out constantly because they have FOMO (fear of missing out) or because they feel pressured by their friends to do so.
But if you don’t feel this way, it’s likely because you simply don’t care what other people think – you and those closest to you know you’re not anti-social and that’s all that matters!
And that’s not all…
If you’re comfortable being alone, you don’t feel the need to meet other people’s expectations or force yourself to go out just so you have something to post on social media.
You’re more concerned about making yourself happy by doing something solo or relaxing at home and enjoying peace and solitude!
7) You’re independent and self-reliant
Now, as a result of everything we’ve discussed above, there’s no doubt you’re likely a very independent person.
Naturally, if you enjoy your own company it’s normal to be self-reliant.
You don’t need other people to have fun, you don’t need social validation, and when you want to do something, you don’t have to wait for others to jump on board!
But there’s a catch:
You’re also able to rely on others when needed. You know when to ask for help. You’re independent, but you still take pleasure from being around those you love.
These are vital signs of not being anti-social but of someone comfortable alone!
8) The labels “anti-social” or “introverted” don’t feel right
Now, this is a point that resonates deeply with me; all my life I’ve felt weird when labeled as anti-social or introverted.
Because I know that actually, I can be very outgoing and sociable in the right situations. I like people and I enjoy making new friends.
But I also really like my alone time.
So, I’m just going to put this one out there; if the label doesn’t fit (and actually, we’re much more than labels anyway) then it’s probably because it’s not accurate!
If you feel the same way, there’s a good chance you’re not anti-social or introverted, you simply enjoy your own company, and that’s okay!
