On enjoying solo activities

I’ve always enjoyed doing stuff by myself, I have no problem traveling by myself or going out by myself, I like it very much. But that wasn’t always the case, there was a time when I felt ashamed of enjoying my solo time so much, I thought something was wrong with me, “why do I like being by myself so much? Why am i like this?” After working on myself and doing an extensive research I found out I’m an introvert and it’s great to be the way I am. So, I embraced my solitude. I started taking me out on solo adventures, at first I was stiff and nervous  but the more I practiced the more confortable I felt and enjoyed myself.

One activity I always wanted to do but was never brave enough to try was going to the movies by myself, so, I picked a movie I had been wanting to watch (Swiss Army Man) and took myself to the movies. I was in my early 30’s when I finally did this and I just could fathom why it took me so long to give it a try. I’ve spent countless hour watching movies and series at home, alone, but I had never gotten myself to go to the movies unaccompanied (there’s a lot of prejudice about people going out alone, usually labeled as “sad and lonely”).

I should tell you that because of my freelance job at the time I had very flexible hours so I ended going to a 3 pm screening on a Tuesday when the cinema happened to be completely empty. They played the film just for me. A solo adventure indeed!

Soon going to the movies by myself became going to museums by myself and traveling more by myself and so many meals and coffee shop dates with myself. I even got to go to concerts by myself. With time all these dates for one felt normal, I wasn’t tense or worried about the display of loneliness I might give, I just started paying more attention to the relationship I had with my own person and fell more in love with her. I turned this solo escapades into self love rituals that I used to practice regularly.

But sometimes life happens and I forget to schedule these solo activities for myself so, I have a reminder in my calendar to book at least one of these dates each month because even though I spend a lot of time by myself (I work from home) it’s not the same as when you do it on purpose.

Of course sometimes I miss having someone sitting right next to me to comment on a funny line or something or other about the movie or activity I’m

immersed in, but not that often. Spending time with myself through these solo escapades has helped me to get to know me and love me better, and to accomplish all those little goals and milestones of going out more, going to certain events or traveling a little bit.

So, no more excuses, stop thinking about the what ifs and what other people might thing and let yourself go. Book yourself that trip, buy the tickets to the concert you’ve wanted to attend for so long, make that dinner reservation for one, no more excuses, take yourself out.

You don’t need someone to enjoy a nice sunset or a glass of wine in your local bar, you can share it with your precious self.

An empty movie theater, some snacks and a good movie, one of my greatest pleasures in life