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Original poster

To just do things by myself

47 replies

shootingstar1 · 30/03/2024 23:03

Anyone enjoy going to the cinema, theatre or to a restaurant themselves?

My friends haven't been great lately and I'm a bit miffed at being left out all the time . So I've decided I might as well try and enjoy life and go do what I want alone instead of waiting at home and being miserable.

Today I went to the cinema and enjoyed lunch . Tomorrow I have theatre tickets . It feels very strange but I'm sure I'll get used to it ?

Any other loners out there ? 🫣

OP posts:
Scarletttulips · 30/03/2024 23:05

Why not try a friendship group like Spice? They are groups of people to do stuff with and you might meet some new friends.

Hecatoncheires · 30/03/2024 23:05

I love doing things by myself. Gigs, cinema, shopping, theatre, hotel stays. Much as I like people, I’m also very happy in my own company.

SheepAndSword · 30/03/2024 23:10

I haven't been to a gig on my own but sure, why not?

Restaurants are fine.

Actually tbh with live music you'd be hard pressed to remember who you came with, much less who you were chatting to 😂

BronzeAge · 30/03/2024 23:12

I’m not a loner, particularly, in that I have lots of friends and value them, and love seeing them, but I need quite a lot of time alone, and there are things I much prefer doing alone — I prefer cinema and theatre solo, and I absolutely never go to exhibitions with other people. Eating out I wouldn’t do solo, not because I think there’s anything remotely wrong with it, but because I’m not fussed enough about it. Left to myself I’ll eat toast and an apple at home.

BronzeAge · 30/03/2024 23:14

And I go away by myself several times a year. Last year I went to NYC for a week, and a remote Buddhist retreat centre.

EmmaEmerald · 30/03/2024 23:16

I have been doing cinema on my own for years.

Mostly because I worked odd hours, and it was easier to just go when it suited me.

but ironically, as I type this, I’m actually having a hotel stay on my own. I’m finding it a bit weird to be honest with you, and as far as I can see I’m the only person on my own here. It is due to lack of available friends, but I haven’t been away for absolutely ages and my flat was driving me mad.

I’m not quite sure if it’s worked out that well! I found eating dinner on my own in the restaurant particularly weird.

I have travelled alone for work and that’s been fine, but I’m not sure I’d do a leisurely hotel break on my own again.

I have major friend issues so not here alone through choice.

But the friends I do have, I can’t get them to go out! I might have to join something like spice.

CherryBlossom321 · 30/03/2024 23:17

I prefer my own company. Plus loads of things are actually better done alone - can really appreciate the experience that way.

AliMonkey · 30/03/2024 23:29

I love doing things on my own so I can choose what to do, how and when. So I might see a film DH doesn’t want to see, or go for a walk at my own pace to wherever I want. I travel occasionally for work and love a hotel room to myself. Happy to eat on my own too though take a book usually. Pre-DH I used to holiday in my own as well.

My DD always said she’d hate to do those things but went to cinema on her own last week and loved it!

theeyeofdoe · 30/03/2024 23:32

I don’t mind doing things alone, but are you sure it’s your groups.
I had coffee with a friend of mine this morning, who was complaining about the same thing / pointed out she hadn’t suggested anything on the three groups we’re on and she’s never had us round for dinner (but she’d been to ours at least twice).

Chitterchatterchoo · 31/03/2024 09:47

I go to the theatre and ballet on my own frequently - I really love it so like to go more than friends ( am a single parent). Also often can get much better last minute seats if just looking for one!

The ballet in particular I find really friendly - nearly always end up chatting to someone and often start to get to know other solo regulars.

Jellycatspyjamas · 31/03/2024 10:29

I love going to the cinema on my own, I can enjoy the movie in peace. I went to the theatre on my own for the first time and really enjoyed that too. I don’t think I’d go to a gig on my own because I like having someone sharing that experience but cinema etc is great.

concernedchild · 31/03/2024 10:30

Enjoying your own company is so important

Mary46 · 31/03/2024 10:45

Yes I do cinema alone. Friends bit crap lately either flaky or dont commit. Not sure about concert alone I look really weird!! But nice your own company

PutASpellOnYou · 31/03/2024 10:49

I like doing things spontaneously, so l find it easier going out and about on my own. Can be such a faff trying to arrange a date and what to do with friends.

YoureRockingTheBoat · 31/03/2024 10:51

I find it hard to match things I’d like to see with people who might also like them, but I don’t want to miss seeing them, so I just go. I feel the same way about food, so I do dine out alone. I also cook elaborate recipes at home alone. It depends what you care enough about, I suppose.

Original poster
shootingstar1 · 31/03/2024 16:51

I'm going to a podcast show tonight that im expecting to be quite rowdy so feeling a bit nervous about it 🫣. But I'm also looking forward to it. Beats sitting at home and missing out .

OP posts:
waitingforautumn · 31/03/2024 21:49

Yup prefer my own company. When there's a cafe I want to try, day trip or weekend away I want to do etc, trip to London to see x y or z... it is so much more straightforward to book it into my own calendar and go ahead. No faffing with other peoples' availability, waiting for messages back etc, worrying about travel logistics. I LOVE not having to talk to anyone else. Whilst I have a big friendship circle I find it hard to make convo for hours on end unless I can be 1000% myself and take quiet breaks (like with siblings/family). I am lucky to have dogs though so just bring them with me when I can esp to restaurants and cafes😊I find bringing them along always attracts loads of strangers to want to chat, which the closet extroverted side of me really doesn't mind😁.

waitingforautumn · 31/03/2024 21:52

Just to add, recently bought concert tix on my own (niche taste but pricey tickets, so feel bad asking friends to join!) - was a bit more lonely than I expected and I felt awkward at times but a couple of weeks on I literally cannot remember the people around me and i'm sure they don't me! Prob should have let go a bit more rather than stayed seated (like the rest of the section tbf) but oh well!

crochetmonkey74 · 31/03/2024 21:54

BronzeAge · 30/03/2024 23:14

And I go away by myself several times a year. Last year I went to NYC for a week, and a remote Buddhist retreat centre.

How did you find NYC by yourself? Its a bucket list item for me, but I've never quite built the confidence...

NewName24 · 31/03/2024 21:55

Yes, I regularly go to the theatre on my own. Far easier in terms of booking, and not having to tie up dates with other people.

I also am happy to go for lunch / cafes / coffees on my own.

I would go to the cinema on my own, but I don't enjoy going to the cinema so never go - but that's for other reasons, not the 'on my own' bit.

AcrossthePond55 · 31/03/2024 21:58

I LOVE going to the cinema by myself (sorry, DH). I feel almost like I'm in a cocoon once the lights go down and the show begins, in a world of my own.

I drive 400+ miles (each way) to visit a BFF for two weeks. Part of it I enjoy the most is the solo 7 hr drive up and back. Just my own company and thoughts. Lovely.

MooFroo · 31/03/2024 22:01

I love it and don’t do it often enough anymore! Thanks for the reminder!

been to cinema, theatre, gigs, talks and comedy shows As well as restaurants etc and happy to stay in hotels alone - usually for work on a weekday

love my own company and a good book or downloaded programme and AirPods

NannyGythaOgg · 31/03/2024 22:06

I 'love' how the first few responders (at least) immediately tell you how to find people to go with. I hate that so many people's first responses are to find someone else to go with. Why can't we just enjoy going on our own to things we want to do.

Some of us are much happier doing things on our own. We don't need constant people around us, talking at us and expecting things from us.

Give me theatre, cinema, walking and coffee place on my own in peace please. The only thing I prefer to do with others is eat out. (But only a few very specific people) and that only because, at home, I am usually doing something else as well as eating (TV, phone, computer).

I know it's not (or doesn't seem to be) the norm, but it is definitely right for some of us.

Okokokokokplease · 31/03/2024 22:15

I am quite sociable but I also crave me time. I have taken myself off to Majorca on my own for a few nights and really enjoyed the peace and tranquility.
I know a few people who go to the cinema on their own .