Wholesome Womanhood

When you’re newly married or in a new season of life, you may struggle with loneliness. For me, I’m adjusting to having a husband at work for eight consecutive days. When he’s gone, the house is empty and quiet. I have discovered loneliness in a new way.

Fortunately (I think), I am an introvert anyway. I do enjoy time alone to reflect and just be alone. However, even introverts need some interaction with others.

So how do you combat loneliness when you have a lot of time by yourself?

First, be grateful for the relative freedom you have. I may get tired of being by myself, but I recognize that (God willing) someday I will have children. When that day arrives, I will probably look forward to a day (or even an hour) alone. So do what I can to enjoy the peace and quiet now.

Second, find a good book. I was able to accomplish so much reading last January precisely because I had plenty of time alone. When lonely, I particularly look for short books (one I can finish in a couple hours) or one that will draw me in to the story (so time passes quickly.)

Third, schedule your errands on different days. Some recommend doing all your errands on one day so you can save on time and gas. However, when I’m lonely, I find it’s better to spread them out over several days. (Of course, I am fortunate to have the stores I regularly shop at close to my home.) This allows me some time to get out of the house, enjoy fresh air, walk around some, and see people. This helps me a great deal in combatting loneliness.

Fourth, spend time writing. I have found more time for writing blog posts since getting married. Additionally, I am a student so I have plenty of school assignments to work on.

One of my favorite bloggers, Bekahcubed, recently began during Flashback Friday, and she invites her readers to particpate. I haven’t participated yet, but this week’s flashback caught my attention because it’s about books.

“Were there books in evidence around your house? Was there a special room in the house considered the ‘library?’ Which of your parents’ books do you remember reading? Which books do you remember them reading?”

Yes, there were definitely books around my parents’ home while I was growing up. When we were quite young, my parents made the decision to get rid of the TV in our home. According to my mom, both of my sisters and I became readers after we lost that source of entertainment. Our parents definitely encouraged this reading habit. Even to this day, books are a traditional Christmas gift. Mom buys us multiple books and individually wraps each of them. It’s the gift I most look forward to every year.

There was not a particular room designated the library. But I had books in my bedroom; my parents had books in their bedroom. We had school books in a different room and even bookshelves in the entry way and living. So we had books all over the place.

I remember having my dad read to our family out of books in the evening. That was some of the best family time I remember. My mom also read some books to us. She read us books like The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and Stepping Heavenward.

I am grateful my parents inculcated in me a love of reading and a love for books. That love has only grown stronger in most recent years. I am looking forward to sharing books with my own children someday.