Silly to not want to go to this event alone?

[janeseymour78]

A friend and I book a lovely apartment and an event in another city - a well known celebrity who is launching book (who we both like a lot) about quite a niche subject.

Unfortunately my friend tested positive with covid 2 days ago. I decided not to bother asking anyone else last minute as it is our shared interest and couldnt think of anyone else who would enjoy it.

So I've come to the apartment by myself and I'm just taking it easy with nice food, wine, a movie. Tomorrow I'm going to do some shopping. I'm now thinking I won't go to the event later by myself. Is this silly?

I've been to the cinema etc by myself but the thought of sitting in an auditorium alone - I just don't feel up to it. I kind of just feel like taking advantage of the fancy bath, getting nice bath stuff etc. Would others push through and go by themselves?

It's up to you. I expect others will be there on their own though. Can't you go to the event and have a fancy bath later as well?

I would most definitely go! I go to book events by myself all the time. I'll go to a book festival with my husband but we'll often split up to attend whichever events we're each interested in.
It's just about the easiest place to be as someone on your own. There'll be loads of other people in the same position.

I'd go and get your friend a signed copy of the book. Bath and pampering later.

I'm on the fence. I don't know what it is - I go to events by myself semi regularly usually.

I think my mental health feels a bit shaky at the moment/I've lost my confidence a bit. On the one hand it would be a shame to miss it. I'm not feeling quite as up for it as I usually would be. The tickets weren't cheap though.

Well done for going on the trip OP, I know exactly what you mean about shaky self confidence and I think it can be difficult to do 'things' alone - so many people never find themselves in the situation or have never really done it so have no idea how it can be.

Ultimately it's your break and what you're already doing sounds lovely and exactly what I'd be doing but I think I would try to make myself go to the event, particularly if, as you say, I really was interested in the celebrity and it all was paid for - you can go away and relax any other time but can't replicate that event. Still, I'd not put pressure on it. View it as something that could be really fun, is essentially free in that it's been paid for and if you really can't face it then there's nothing wrong in that either.

Enjoy the shopping!

Go to the event!! Imagine kicking yourself the day after if you don't! It'll be fine (I go to things on my own)

Yes I’d go to the book event on my own. It’s exactly the type of event that you don’t need to be with someone else for. A lot of other people will be on their own too and ultimately everyone is there to hear the author speak. To be honest I’d fine the harder part travelling to the apartment and you have already done that!

Also get a book signed for your friend! I remember taking my daughter to a book signing and she has a friend who had one of his books so she took it along and the author was happy to sign it for her friend!

That’s the sort of thing I would go on my own to. I’d expect others to be on their own too - I certainly have authors I like that nobody else I know is into! Might even be a chance to strike up a bit of a chat (and I am an introvert who doesn’t necessarily jump at those things). I mean…you can sit and listen, possibly with a glass of wine in hand…sounds like a perfect solo thing to me. And bonus for it being the sort of thing people often do alone, so hopefully not surrounded by great braying gangs of people.

Can’t you just go but leave early if you aren’t enjoying it?

See how you feel in the morning. A new day brings a new thought. I often question myself at night about something I've planned for the following day. But I feel differently in the morning.

@Ihatethenewlook where I'm sitting it would be a hassle to leave/walk past everyone. I'm at the end of a long row.

If there's an interval I could always leave then - not sure if there will be.

Well I went in the end 😊 really had to push myself to go! I befriended the two women next to me and also caught up on emails on the break.

It was fine and I think I'd have really regretted not going.

Yay well done!

well done you - thanks for the update.

Well I'd be happy to go on my own (& enjoy it), but actually I'd be telling my friend to come anyway and not worry about having Cobid. Remember, isolation is no longer required!