Most of your stress comes from the expectations of other people.

I call it "The Institution of Obligation."

How much time do you spend alone?

It's no secret that human beings are social creatures. With that being said, I think that humans can become too attached to people, places, & things.

You play a role with everyone you come into contact with.

Some people expect you to always be funny, so you unconsciously find ways to make them laugh.

Others expect you to be sad, so when you come into contact with them, you find a problem to talk about.

For the most part, you are a different person around different people.

If you only know yourself through your relationship with other people, perhaps you don't really know yourself.

So again I ask, "If you only know yourself based on the role you play with other people, do you really know yourself?

I have found that spending time alone can help you to gain greater clarity as to who you are, and what's important to you.

Spending time alone can also improve your relationships.

Here's my experience.