After a weekend of extroverting, this introvert needs some time alone. But it’s not always easy in a small house– especially I am very sensitive to noise and distractions. Here’s what I’ve found helpful to have alone time in a small house.

How to have alone time in a small house

1. Tell your family you need alone time.
   You may live in a family of extroverts who don’t understand your needs or you may just have some needy family members. Ha! It’s understandable to need alone time. Explain to your family your needs and be kind about it, but stick to that boundary. If you have kids, it may be helpful to set a timer.
   
2. Sensory deprivation
   If you’re like me, noise and light can be too stimulating sometimes. There’s lots of ways to turn off your senses, so you can calm your nervous system. I like ear plugs (these work best for my small ears), eye mask, hiding under the covers and my favorite small space item, a noise machine!
   
3. Go outside
   If you truly can’t get away in your own home, get outside! Take a walk, sit in nature or go to a local park if necessary. Being in nature is calming. It’s a scientific fact!
   
4. Stay up later or get up early to prioritize alone time
   Alone time is truly important and you may have to prioritize it by getting up earlier or staying up later. This will give you time to enjoy your coffee in silence or read in bed. (My favorite alone time activity!)
   
5. Pay attention to what truly recharges your batteries
   What truly recharges our batteries is different from person-to-person. For some folks it may be crafts, silent reading or trash tv. For other folks, recharge time might be simply laying on the floor in silence. (I call this sloth time.) The next time you feel relaxed, think about what you are doing and why that is, so you can incorporate it into your life.

Do you also struggle with finding alone time in your small home? I want to hear about the ways you deal with it in the comments!