Nobody wants to be alone. Even as an introvert, I don’t want to be by myself all the time. It’s easier (and more fun) to go out and do things with friends, family and the people you love.
But there’s value in doing things alone, especially for women. It forces you out of your comfort zone. It teaches you how to handle situations you may not have been in otherwise. And it can help you enjoy life more.
I don’t do everything alone – or even most things – but the experiences that I’ve had have only had positive impacts on my life.
It’s made me more independent. No one wants to see that movie or see that concert? That won’t stop me from going – and I’ll still enjoy myself.
For example, this past March I went to see Beauty and the Beast. I bought popcorn and Sour Patch Kids, plopped myself in the best seat in the house and got lost in the fantastical world of Belle for two hours. No one talked to me during the movie or tried to steal my snacks, it was one of the most enjoyable movie-going experiences I’ve had.
It’s made me more confident. There was a time when I was too scared to do things by myself because I was afraid of being judged, of what others would think of me. But the more I went out and traveled alone, the more I stopped caring what others thought. And that confidence has permeated into the other areas of my life.
Here are three activities I believe every woman should do alone (at least once):
- Go to the movies. If you’re not used to getting out and about by yourself, this is a good baby step. You can enjoy yourself in the comfort of a dark theater – with the snacks all to yourself.
- Go out to dinner. There is nothing wrong with sitting alone in a restaurant – take a book or a magazine and enjoy only being interrupted when the waiter swings by. Remember the benefits: You get to order what you want, drink what you want and eat all the bread without fear of judgement. Who cares what other diners think of you? You’ll never see them again – and odds are they don’t care anyway!
- Travel. Whether it’s for business or pleasure, traveling alone is one of the best ways to find what you’re made of. Traveling never goes smoothly so when you travel alone, you’ll be forced to find solutions all by yourself.
Do you like to do things alone? What activities would you add to this list?
I love eating lunch alone after I get a good book. Sitting outside, people watching, sipping wine and reading is wonderful! I also really love to travel alone. Not long trips but two to three days away by yourself can be magical!
Yes! I’ve traveled alone, gone to baseball games, theater performances and movies alone. Next on my list is to enjoy a concert and a great meal in CLE by myself. It makes me appreciate company when I do go out with friends but also has given me the confidence to try new things that may not be of any interest to anyone but me!