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Having the Best Time On Your Own
One of the immense pleasures of my single life is going to the movies in the morning. I’m at my most alert, there’s no scrambling for good seats on opening weekend and I’m less likely to get stuck in traffic. I’ve found it hard to convince friends to come along with me at 11 AM on a beautiful summer day, and I almost prefer going by myself. I seem to have a deeper experience of the movie with no worries that the person sitting next to me is having a good time.
What’s your favorite activity to do on your own?
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18 comments for “Having the Best Time On Your Own”
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I like to walk by myself. I like to explore a new town on my own. I like to take a vacation to a new beach and snorkel all day! And I LOVE to go to the movies by myself.
Glad I’m not the only one!
I find myself relying more and more on my own company, but quite enjoy it, so that’s good! I much prefer shopping on my own, exploring new areas of town on my own (can go at my own pace) and have started going to the theatre on my own! Of course I’ll happily do these things with other people too, but it’s nice to make choices that don’t rely on other people!
I love going to the movies by myself too. Not early in the morning but definitely alone. I also love taking myself out to breakfast on my own. I take a book or newspaper and dawdle over my coffee and the wait staff is usually to have one table that is fairly self sufficient so they can concentrate on the ones where the kids with barely awake parents are out of control. And I always make sure to tip well.
Tipping well is always a good plan!
Road trips. I can choose the route, sing along with my iPod (and play the same song over as many times as I want), and can stop or not stop whenever I feel like it. I don’t have to make small talk, which I’m not very good at.
Noelle, how far do you go alone on road trips?
They vary; I used to be a travel nurse, so I’ve been all across the country and back (and without a GPS, ever). The longest were from LA to Atlanta; Albuquerque to Madison, Wisconsin; and then Wisconsin to Phoenix. I’ve been known to drive 500-800 miles on a whim just because a band I like is playing in Denver or Tucson or Phoenix.
Good thing I had the sense to buy a Honda. Those things to forever.
I’ve done the SF-LA corridor a bunch of times, which is about 400 miles, but I can’t say that I enjoy it much. You obviously love being on the road. I admire that.
Food shopping! I love, love, love to cook and I love, love, love exploring food purveyors–regular/natural grocery stores, ethnic stores, farmer’s markets–and I just love going from aisle to aisle (or vendor to vendor) and imagining the possibilities. These gorgeous organic green beans? I’ll braise them with the tomatoes and garlic I got three stands away. Hmmm, never heard of this cheese–I’ll try some! Etc. etc.
And frankly, I LIKE sleeping alone. Sex? Love it. But when it’s time to close my eyes and get some rest, well, that I prefer alone.
If only my cat wouldn’t hog the other side of the bed 😉
I just came back from the market, where I bought a few of my favorite summer fruits – cantaloupes and sweet 100 cherry tomatoes.
As far as sleeping alone, does it count if you’re with a pet?
almost anything. your last sentence really sums it up for me; there is always so much stress about whether the other person is enjoying themselves that it eats into my own enjoyment. Probably for me, a classical music concert is most important to attend alone. I have very specific musical interests and really prefer to be alone with the music, which speaks to me more profoundly than any human conversation.
Classical music events are easier to attend alone for me, too. I dislike it when someone tries to talk to me during the performance, or otherwise creates a distraction (purse rumaging, etc). I once went to a concert with a friend and was mortified when he took out his smartphone to record part of it. Where did we lose the ability to sit still and listen without distraction?
I also am frustrated when I attend an event and someone insists on commenting on what’s happening or adding their opinion – it’s rude to those around us, who have paid good money to attend as well. Save the chat for post-event coffee!
I don’t worry if the other person is enjoying themselves. If we’ve agreed to go together, then I assume both parties have decided that there’s something in it for them. I’m not responsible for their happiness; if one party dislikes it, hopefully it results in some interesting conversation!
Wendy–pets can sleep on the bed and it still counts as “alone”! I’ve got a cat who has “her” side of the bed.
I don’t think I’ve ever gone solo to a music event, but I’m sure the same principle applies.
Petra, I just thought of you while reading an article about the health benefits of sleeping alone. http://bit.ly/SfuDe5
I enjoy a lazy Sunday morning with a good book and a hardy breakfast by myself. Also I like traveling solo because it gives me an opportunity to meet new people and set my own agenda. I might be naive but I don’t think it is as dangerous for women to travel alone as some people think. I take precautions and trust my gut.
I too love to travel alone. Being single for forever, if I don’t travel alone, I would never travel. I envy a friend of mine (female) who quit her job, put all of her stuff in storage and went around the world BY HERSELF for 10 months. And not in 4 star places either. The experiences she had. I met her in Greece toward the end of her trip and we had a great time. She almost died going from China to Atmandu but luckily for a whole lot of people, she didn’t. She did have a hard time acclimating back when she returned though. But I SO jealous of her. I would never have the guts to do that.