You are out to eat at a restaurant with your friends. You're all laughing, having a good time, when someone squeaks out an "Awwww" and points to a table across the room.
You follow her outstretched finger and your eyes land on a woman, probably in her mid-thirties/early forties, sitting at a small table eating her dinner ALONE.
"That's so sad, I hate seeing people eating alone." says another one of your friends.
You can't help but feel a little pang of pity for the woman.
Why do we feel this way? Why is it so sad to do things by yourself nowadays?
Why are people, especially younger people, so unwilling to go out in public by themselves?
Even now in college, I know so many people who refuse to go to the dining hall without a pal. "No, I don't want to eat alone, I'll just make ramen..."
I find this mind boggling. I feel like having alone time is crucial to one's mental health.
Coming back to college, I have realized how desperately I need to have at least a little alone time.
Living with five other girls, as much as I adore them, can be really hard sometimes -- especially when I'm having anxiety.
People deal with anxiety in all different ways, but for me... I like to be left alone in order to try to calm myself down. Sometimes this isn't possible when I am away at school, so I have had to find ways to cope.
I can sometimes feel like I am drowning in a sea of other people; it can be suffocating.
That's why I believe it's so important to have some quiet time to yourself. Even a ten minute shower can help calm me when I'm feeling overwhelmed.
I feel as if there is a stereotype against people doing things alone in public, like going to see a movie or going out to eat.
I'm guilty of this myself. Back in high school when I was a hostess, whenever someone would say "Table for one, please" I would always be a little taken back. I would find myself feeling bad for them.
In reality, doing things alone is very freeing. Even if it's something as little as going to the dining hall by yourself.
It's nice to just do your own thing for awhile and not have to worry about anyone else.
So, just because someone may be dining alone at a restaurant, it doesn't mean they are "lonely". Having the confidence to do things that are normally done in groups is a great thing and it's something others should admire, not pity.
