Social convention has taught us that ordinary activities such as going to parties, concerts, the movies, or bars are meant to be done alongside someone. And sure, having some drinks with a friend and going to a concert with your partner is fun. But, have you ever tried doing all of these things on your own? It may sound challenging, but it’s actually more satisfying than you think. Going out without any company may be one of the most enlightening things to do. And even though it sounds like a thing only antisocial people do because they don’t feel like hanging with others, being alone can also mean enjoying our own company, without underestimating other’s company. It’s about choosing ourselves every once in a while.
In my own experience, I can certainly say that going out alone is the best. You can hardly compare it to quality time with your loved ones. I’ve seen lots of movies on my own, and it’s actually a pretty interesting exercise. And concerts? They are a whole new experience. It’s all about the music and you. I may even dare to say that I’ve enjoyed them even more on my own. Of course, I’m a person that particularly enjoys being alone (and maybe it’s partly because I’m some kind of introvert), but even though you don’t feel like being this kind of person, don’t worry. This approach to the world is fully recommended for everyone. At least once in your life, you should try having a day out alone.
Sadly, there’s a huge stigma around going out by yourself. Sometimes, people point out the “loner” as if they were weirdos, and start theorizing of why this person doesn’t have friends or shows up with no company. If you’re trying a day out by yourself, you might as well ignore all of them. Having some me-time has nothing to do with friendships. And besides, little do they know that being alone can bring a lot of useful perks to your life. As a matter of fact, some of the things I realized by going out by myself constantly are:
You can get in touch with your most creative side.
Being alone leaves a lot of space to free your mind. You can even discover the creative side you didn’t know you had. If you’re at the park, at a library, or going on a trip, you can bring with you some paper and pen, and let your hand go with it. You may come up with very interesting artsy pieces!
You get in touch with your inner self.
Since you don’t have to start a conversation, you actually start talking to yourself more. With these inner talks, you’ll get in touch with what you think and how you feel about being out on your own. For example, during a music concert, you start wondering if you’re actually enjoying the music, or even if you’ll dance to it. You become more honest about yourself, since no one else has to know what you’re thinking and feeling at that moment.
You become aware of how you react to society.
Further than feeling self-conscious (which may happen the first time you try this out), being around people by yourself can develop certain level of awareness of who you are among them, how you respond, and how you treat others. You can also realize how you start a conversation or react when someone else asks you for directions to get somewhere. And all of these details you learn by yourself help you understand your relationship with others.
You can spoil yourself as much as you want.
While shopping, traveling, or even going to a live music event, being on your own also means you can spoil yourself as much as you want. That concert t-shirt you always wanted, those boots that are on sale, that last minute trip to the woods, you can use that time to pamper yourself. This day out is all about you, so enjoy it and make the most of it!
You learn to enjoy activities without peer pressure.
If you’re feeling like going to the park, go. If you feel like going to a rave, do it. Or maybe you’d rather have a time out and visit a nearby town. It doesn’t matter, no one else gets to decide but you. That’s the best part of going out alone. You can do anything you want without fearing someone will say, “Aw, man, that’s so boring” or, “I don’t know, I’m not in the mood for partying.” You’ll get to do what you really want.
You get to decide when to go home.
Being alone also means being the owner of your time table. When going out with friends, usually the day finishes when everybody says so. But you know that, deep down, there’s been a couple of parties you wish you have stayed a little longer, or on the contrary, you wish you have left earlier. When you go out on your own, you get to decide when to arrive and when to leave. It’s up to you and how you want to invest your time that day.
There are plenty of activities that we can completely enjoy on our own. From a walk in the park to a trip abroad, you can try out anything that comes to your mind. Lots of people will misjudge this kind of behavior, but don’t feel discouraged. Keep in mind that if they criticize you for enjoying the outdoors on your own, it’s their problem, not yours. It’s their inability to be alone. You just don’t see this as a problem anymore.
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You might also enjoy reading:
6 Things Only Those Who Can Be Alone With Their Thoughts Can Do
Learning To Be Lonely In An Overcrowded City
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Images by Mr. Tokki