So a long time back Jezebel had this piece on the 5 things every woman should do alone at least once. They are: dine out alone, go to the movies, go to rock shows, travel, and road trip. This was a thought-provoking article for me.
I am extremely confused by this list, because I cannot imagine NOT having to do any or all of these things alone. And I have done them all, solo. And frankly, if I didn't do them alone, I'd be stuck laying around with the cats even more than I do on a regular basis.
So this is the question: do you, or anyone you know, not do these things alone? Or others? Why? How do you get away with it?
In my more existential moments I realize I feed into my own patterns of independence and loneliness but don't quite know how to stop because I don't have normal experiences. For me, going to the movies with people, like I did last weekend with some coworkers, is more difficult than going alone. I'm missing that getting along in groups thing. I'm fearful of other people; alone I know and like myself.
3 comments:
I have a hard time going out to eat alone, which is silly. It's still on my list of things to try.
I enjoy going to movies alone. I've never been uncomfortable with that. The first time I lived in my current neighborhood by myself I went to cheap movie night on Mondays alone pretty much every week.
The idea of going to shows alone makes me somewhat nervous, although I know enough people I'm bound to run into a friend at one which alleviates some of the awkwardness I guess.
I'd totally travel together and I like road-tripping alone.
I have done all of these things along, except for the rock show. I don't know if that's something I would ever do by myself, frankly. Everything else I enjoy doing alone or with someone. I like going to movies in groups the least because it is confusing and I really just want to watch the movie and not feel like I need also to be worrying about others. I do not always like dining out alone, but I don't shy away from it either. I'm kind of with you, though. I can't imagine not having to do any of these things alone at some point or other (barring the rock show).
As you know social aspects are where we differ the most. I have road tripped alone and enjoy it. I also will eat alone, but only for breakfast or lunch and only if it's a place with seating that is convenient for one (like counter seating). I also like to have something to read if I am going to eat alone. I don't like to go out to movies alone (I wait for it to be released on video for that) and I won't go to a show alone, but I have also not gone to a show (aside from free outdoor performances) since before Benjamin.
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