How to Entertain Yourself When You're Alone

Draw. Everyone has imagination, but not all of us are able to access it.One of the easiest ways to have fun on your own using your imagination is to sit down at a table with pens, paints, markers and start drawing.Make sure you have enough paper and don't hold back:keep drawing and drawing until you get something you like.Edit it, add details (and colors, if you've done something colorful), and keep going until you're satisfied.

• You don't have to show your doodles to anyone if you don't want to.And if you don't want to keep them, throw them away.

Play with toy soldiers. Or with dolls or mini-football characters:any miniature is part of the play tradition of children all over the world and with good reason, it is a great way to pass the time when there is nothing to do.If you don't have any, you can buy them, build them, or use decorative thumbnails.Give each one a name and a title and build a story.Make a different entry for each and outline their personality traits.

• You can use a crumpled blanket or stacked books to create the "scenario" in which your characters move.For example, try to think of a lone marine who descends a wall made of books into a canyon in which he will be ambushed;perhaps a witch riding a broomstick can appear ready to save someone who is about to jump from a bridge.The possibilities are endless.

Dance. You're alone, why not?Choose music, turn up the volume and start shaking.You'll be surprised at how much fun it is.Do something different by putting on music you'd never dance to (classical, for example) and try out some moves.Let your body express the sounds and emotions of the song – you'll also improve your mood, as well as getting some exercise.

• Before you go crazy, of course, check that the door is securely closed – unless you want to put on a show for those who live with you.While others try to open the door, you will be able to compose yourself and go back to your usual self.
  • Forcing yourself to be serious again after dancing usually makes you laugh even more, but wasn't the point of having fun?
• Get as much space as you can before dancing.Once you start, it's easy to lose control of your body.

Play solitaire games. Or even board games in single-person versions.The lonely the most famous is probably Klondike, a very simple card matching game.Others are the Pyramid and Spider.Aside from card games, you can also play alone with marbles, checkers and chess;obviously the challenge is limited, but the chances of learning and improving your strategy are high.You can also play skittles, darts or improve your pool technique, provided you have the necessary equipment.

• Playing skittles alone is easy, just make an X of skittles inside a circle and shoot from a certain distance trying to knock them down.It is a game suitable for closed places, if you have some space on the floor which must be free from objects and carpets.
• The loners that can be found on Wikipedia they are almost unlimited.Note that not all variations are explained.
• Card games like Magic or The Gathering and other similar games can be played on your own just like chess or checkers.Obviously, playing against others is more useful for testing your strategies.
• Another way to make the time pass quickly – and keep track of how much time passes – is to put on some music while you play.If for better or worse you have an idea of ​​how long the album or playlist you listen to lasts, you will also have an idea of ​​how long it passes.

Play video games. Today more than ever there are video games in every home.Even if you don't have a console (like the Wii or PS3) to play, there are thousands of games available for PC and phone, many of which are suitable for a single player.Some give you the chance to challenge opponents online, others work better if you play in the company of friends (especially those into cars, motorbikes and fighting).Avoid the latter if you really want to play alone and focus on action-adventure or role-playing ones.

• Online you will find many games that you can play for free.Try Yahoo!Games for a wide selection of classic and recent titles, or onemorelevel.com for a smaller but curated list, easy to navigate and which includes lesser-known but still entertaining titles.
  • Some online games allow you to unlock extra levels or features for a fee.If you're not 100% sure, though, don't pay anything.Remember, it's only ever a free game on the internet.
• Don't throw away old consoles.Many fun games were made for consoles like the NES, Sega Genesis, and the original PlayStation.These games – and the associated system that allows their use – can often be purchased for less than their original cost on street markets.

Cultivate a hobby. If you have free time and no one to spend it with, why not build or do something fun?Try assembling an airplane or a car, or build a model rocket and launch it behind a school on the weekend.Some hobby shops sell kits for making robots, growing colored crystals in water, and doing a variety of other fun things.Most of these kits cost less than €25 and are a nice way to spend an afternoon.

• Other kits include sand work, jewelry and dream catcher making.Take a tour of the store and see what inspires you!
• You can also make your own “kit” by purchasing the essential parts and keeping them together.Try making your own favorite soap or bath salts, candles, patterned T-shirts (with decals or painting the fabric), or even wine (if you're old enough).