It took me a good 20 years to realize it, but 'better late than never' had never been more appropriate in regards to this epiphany (if you can actually call it that) of mine.
Today's society, for some reason, romanticizes constantly being around people and having such a full (and often unrealistic) social life that you often neglect your 'me time.' We are groomed to automatically expect that everything we do in our daily lives has to be a conjoined process with others.
Going to dinner by yourself is weird or awkward, right?
So is going to concerts.
So is going to a movie.
So is going to a sports game.
You must have no friends.
Well, I'm here to tell you that no, these statements are FALSE. They are completely, ridiculously false.
I've done all four of these activities by myself numerous times, and I have never had a bad experience. It hit me at some point last year when the Tom Hanks film Sully came out. I had been waiting for what felt like ages for it to release, and being the impulsive person that I am, I just had to see it opening weekend. Well, none of my friends (yes! friends!) were that interested in seeing it, my parents weren't available, and my 13-year-old sister looked like she'd rather watch a documentary on germs than go. So, I got to thinking and was like, "Okay. You want to see the movie. It's playing tonight. You have no plans for the evening. What's stopping you besides you?" And that, my friends, became the first time I did something like that alone. Truthfully, it was one of the most mature decisions I ever made.
Yes, doing things with friends and family is fun. I'm not advocating a life of reclusive solitude! But, when in a situation where doing something with another person isn't possible, you shouldn't punish yourself by not going. In case you haven't experienced this yet, there will come days where literally every single friend of yours is unable to do something with you. So... what? You're just not going to go?
NO! GO.
That concert you've been wanting to go to will be experienced the same way, whether or not you're alone or with friends. I mean really, I sat alone at Harry Styles' concert this year and it was actually fun. I ended up becoming BFFs with the awesome married couple next to me and when Harry made everyone hug the person next to them, we went in for a cute group hug. (Side note: I aspire to be a woman married to a man who enthusiastically took her to a Harry Styles concert.)
Over time, you'll find that you are your own best friend in many areas of life. Enjoy that alone time and solitude. You know you'll regret it if you don't go to that movie or concert or game, so might as well go. I can guarantee you there will be another person there that is also alone.
I stopped at Chick-fil-A by myself one time for lunch, and it was honestly a solidly enjoyable 45 minutes. I plugged in my headphones, dived into an episode of The Golden Girls on my phone (I love you, Hulu), and enjoyed my classic chicken sandwich sans pickles.
For me personally, being alone is refreshing. It's time to expand your inner thoughts, get away from the expectations placed on you when surrounded by people, and just be you. You're not performing for anyone, you're not expected to be 'ON.' You're just you, stopping for lunch in the middle of your day, or seeing your favorite artist in concert or going to see that movie you've been waiting for months to see.
Grab yourself a donut or taco on the way to the movies, and enjoy your solo date night out.
