To just do things by myself

[shootingstar1]

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 ? 🫣

I once met a widow who had been to New York on her own. She said that you can spend years waiting for a friend or family to want to do the same as you, or find the time for it, so 'just do it'. Erm, I haven't been to New York alone, yet, but I definitely go to the cinema by myself.

Cinema, theatre, walking on my own is fine. Coffee shop on my own is fine. I would love to be able to go for a meal on my own, perhaps with a book, but I feel too self conscious. If you're happy to do it, just go for it!

Yes love going to the cinema alone

I've had enough negotiating with friends so now just book a cinema ticket for myself and inform them in case they want to join. I don't mind company but feel absolutely comfortable alone.

I also like spontaneity and have to do things on my own because of it.

I agree not waiting around on people. Not sure re a gig do u look a complete loner! I wouldnt do it myself. Happy enough do cafes or cinema

I'm in a coffee shop alone right now! I take myself off to mini breaks in Britain a lot, but I'd like to venture abroad but have a massive block about it. It just seems so scary, but I think I need to do it. I was thinking of trying a nearby European city first maybe? Any tips?

I think it’s important to have time on your own.
I have always hated shopping with others, and really enjoying going to an exhibition or theatre on my own. Having said that, I went to a show with DH last week and enjoy sharing experiences but sometimes it’s quite luxurious to do something that just I enjoy.

Well, what is it that’s so frightening about going abroad alone that isn’t scary about going away by yourself in the UK? Identify what exactly is ‘so scary’ as a first step.

@crochetmonkey74 Lisbon might be a good place to try. Lovely people, easy to get around and delicious food. Do it!!

I’ve done Paris & several bits of Italy alone - all great. Off to Bruges in a couple of weeks.

I do it all the time! I have friends, and a partner, but sometimes I just want to do my own thing....theatre, cinema, galleries, restaurants, sports events, holidays. I mean, why wouldn't you? It's a fab way of spending time.

I do most things on my own as my friends people I know all seem to have lots of family and other friends that they do things with.

It does mean I get to do what I want when I want, but it would be nice to be to share and talk about experiences sometimes. I quite often think I'll go to something but then don't because it'll just be me on my own again.

I think it's all the extra faff, flying, unfamiliar travel options etc. In Britain, it seems easier to get home if it all goes wrong

Good for you OP. As PP have said, you could join Spice or Meet Up, but it's also really fun to get used to enjoying doing stuff alone. As you say, it feels weird at first, but you easily get used to it. One of the best gigs I ever went to, I was alone. I went to a great talk the other night and know I enjoyed it more on my own than I would if DH had been there obviously enjoying it less.

Last year I went on holiday alone but in a group, as DH didn't want to come. Half the others were couples and half of us were travelling solo. Ended up really liking my room mate who was as different from me as you could imagine, and am now working with one of the other women I met on the trip on a really amazing freelance project.

Go for it.

I prefer to do stuff by myself, to my own timetable, where I can just wander around at my own pace and listen to podcasts, set off when I want, have lunch when and where I want etc.

I have a DP who I live with, but he works away quite a lot, so I'm used to entertaining myself some of the time. Or sometimes I've accompanied him on his work trips and just wandered around the galleries, sights etc while he's been working and then met up for dinner in the evening.

But wouldn’t those things be the same whether or not you had someone with you? Take Eurostar to Paris, Amsterdam, Lille or Cologne as a first step, if you don’t like flying?

Why not join a group - either of solo travellers or mixed singles and people travelling with friends or partners. Explore, Exodus and loads of other companies do really interesting group tours. You can either pay extra to have a single room, or take your chances with a room mate. The advantage of this is that there's always someone to go for a drink with or to walk home late at night, people to take a photo of you, a guide to help you get around.

I find it very freeing to have "self dates" because I don't have a partner and it means I can do things I enjoy even if my friends are busy or not interested in that thing. I usually go to gigs, the theatre, exhibitions, classes and things where you normally have a period of needing to stay silent. It does feel weird at first but one notices or cares that I'm on my own

It depends on what the thing is. I wouldn;t much enjoy having dinner alone but I love going to the cinema or theatre alone, or to a talk. I can relax and enjoy it more without worrying about what the other person thinks.

I was at theatre this weekend with DH, sitting next to a woman on her own who was clearly loving every minute. At the end, loads of people gave a standing ovation. Dh never does. He thinks it's a tasteless Public Display of Emotion. I ended up standing as I wanted to show appreciation and felt idiotic being the only two sitting when everyone around us was, so so enthusiastic but I also felt a bit self conscious of DH judging me. I'd rather have been alone at that point in the evening.

I love going to theatre/opera on my own as I can book exactly what I want when I want and you don't have to faff with organising a group/people dropping out/people wanting diff seats. As a previous poster said, if I'm feeling sociable, I pretty much always spot people I know for a chat and have met new people too (....this is expat community so people are very open to chatting to randomers).
I've also been to Dubai on my own - fantastic as I did exactly as much or as little as I wanted, chilled out at the hotel, shopped as long as I wanted. One tip when travelling solo abroad the first times is to book a 'club room' or buy lounge access as this means there's afternoon tea and evening drinks/food included and you don't have go to an outside restaurant solo or deal with taxis etc.

I love doing all of those things and more on my own. I have close friends and family I enjoy doing those things with too but am equally as happy on my own, and sometimes actively choose to do something on my own.

I think it's stranger when people can't do or enjoy something without someone else being there. It's so much more relaxing to only have to consider yourself.

But was the performance worth a standing ovation? It seems a little odd to leap to your feet out of peer pressure if you thought it was good, but in the ‘enthusiastic applause’ category.