Friend has cancelled our trip with 4 hours notice

[pippy002]

We have booked and paid to go to London for a concert tomorrow night.
Leaving at 6.30 pm tonight
She rang a hour ago saying she was ill with sickness bug and can't go.
It's too late to find anyone else to go.
So I'm loosing out on £90 train
£150 hotel and £79 concert ticket :-(
Do I go alone?
I know I won't enjoy it alone tho
Tomorrow was meant to be shopping then concert ..coming home on Saturday
Gutted

this could be one of the most empowering things you do for yourself.
I remember a few years ago being let down by a friend who fucked off and left me at a festival and after thinking i had to go home, I decided to brave it out and make the best of it on my own, and I swear I had the best time, and it gave me such a confidence boost.

Why dont you have a look at some stuff youre interested in in london, and wander round and do them, without having to worry about anyone else. Wander along the southbank. Check out the tate. Go for lunch in Covent garden. Check out Greenwich market. Loads of things you could do, or see if anyone on your facebook wants to meet up with you.. You might get to turn an aquaintance into a friend.

I did suggest to my friend travelling down and just seeing how she feels in the morning but she hasn't replied

It's really not fair to expect someone to travel by train and on the tube with a sickness bug. I do understand why you'd be anxious though if you're not used to travelling alone.

I would definitely go on my own. Even if you haven't got the nerve to go to the show on your own, a night in a hotel solo would be lovely.

Wake up, have breakfast, go shopping without anybody moaning. What a dream

London is one if the best places to visit alone. There are always people travelling alone there for business or pleasure.
Despite rumors Londoners are actually friendly and approachable. If you need travel directions someone will always be happy to help.
Go and have fun. If you can get the money back as a return on your friend's ticket use it as extra spending money for you. 😊

If you have anxiety, do it in baby steps. firstly, just get yourself on the train and to the hotel. You'll feel accomplished once you do that. Tell yourself that if you don't feel like it, you don't have to go out at night and go to the show tomorrow. Get up in the morning, having enjoyed a night alone in a hotel and plan something easy for the morning. Use the tube. I bet you'll find your anxiety is much less once you are there doing it. It's so easy to think the worst in advance. Just think of one thing at a time. Get the train. Book into the hotel. etc...

I hope you go and have a fabulous time.

I live in London and hope you can come. If you fall ill at the hotel, you can get a cab to the train station and stagger home. There's always a way.

If you are concerned about getting from Victoria to Queensway, you could ask someone at the theatre to call you a black cab (then you won't even have to wait outside) or take an Uber.

In terms of the ticket you might be able to sell it on a site like SeatWave or ViaGoGo, especially if the show is sold out and tickets are sought after.

maybe it wont be quite as much fun on your own , but then maybe it will, only thing certain if you don't go you wont get anything out of it, isn't it bad enough your friend has to loose her share without you loosing yours too, so yes go , and yes put the word out there you , its a long shot but never know what people can manage for a free ticket they can travel tomorrow after you, ( I assume your ill pal wouldn't mind giving it away for free and she's not trying to sell it?)

Get the app citymapper. As I say above I spend time in London solo and it helps me to get anywhere, it will remind you what bus/tube stops to get off at and it has never let me down.

London is really safe. There are dodgy as fuck areas as there is anywhere but if I survived walking through London alone as a young teenager multiple times, I’m sure you will too.

Definitely go, you will have fun! I love doing things on my own.

Please go - I'll bet you will have a wonderful time. Know that things like this are so much better shared, but even alone you can have a lovely day just treating yourself to coffee etc (or prosecco if you manage to sell your friend's ticket!) and watching the world go by.

I'm a Northerner, so traditionally hate London because of genetic memory and DNA etc, but both times I've been the people were almost-as lovely and friendly as they are up in God's own country, and I loved it!

GO! - and report back on your experience! A diagram of your hotel room or something would also earn you MN Brownie Points.

It will be an adventure - we all need an adventure in our lives.

@pippy002 please please go (and I know it’s not as easy as that!)
When I was in my 30’s I was just coming out of a depression and fed up of the missed opportunities due to my own anxiety.
I would sit in my flat on a Friday/Saturday night listening to the clicking heels and giggles of (what felt like) all the other girls/women in the world having a social life.
I joined MeetUp...and ended up travelling on my own to Madrid for a week to volunteer on a scheme called VaughnTown. Made friends for life and was SO empowered that it’s started my love of travel.
...anyway...I’m getting all excited for you
Just take it in stages...give yourself permission to do all, some ...or even none of it...
youll never regret the things you tried...just the things you didnt

You should definitely go alone! As the show isn't until tomorrow evening perhaps another friend can meet you in London tomorrow if tonight is too short notice? Then you can enjoy an evening by yourself at the hotel but still have someone there tomorrow to shop and see the show with. And even if no one else can make it, by the time you're there you'll wonder what you ever worried about!

Don't miss it, you'll regret it and you've spent so much money. Just go and enjoy some time to yourself x

I’m glad you are considering going. I would but I don’t have anxiety. If you are on your own then you can do everything at your own pace. You don’t have to do a hectic race around London , you can do a more casual stroll around from coffee shop to coffee shop. 😁
If I go in for a night I take almost nothing with me so I don’t have to carry much. I take clean underwear, socks and tee shirt plus deodorant, face cream and toothpaste and toothbrush plus a fold up coat. Then I walk and walk and walk. You can’t get lost! I prefer the bus to the tube. It’s usually slower but I like looking out the windows.

London is a brilliant city to be alone in. Honestly OP - please go and enjoy yourself.

Anything you’re worried about - tube lines, directions, where to eat - just let us know from the train and the power of MN will provide. Your friend might feel better by tomorrow and join you, or someone else might, but for tonight enjoy the hotel room!

Oh yes, you should definitely go. You'll feel very proud of yourself when it's done - and possibly never look back!
I've just come back from just over a week in London, the first five days were by myself and my sister joined me for the last four days. I went to 4 proms concerts, four plays and a musical; it was great! I brought a book to read at the interval, which is the only time at a show that you might feel a bit on your own. And if you're not comfortable eating alone in a restaurant, you can always go somewhere like John Lewis.

Oh please go, Wicked is such a wonderful show.
As a fellow anxiety sufferer I know where you are coming from but please try and force yourself to do it, Download an audiobook or listen to music whilst travelling, That always helps me.
A night on your own in a hotel sounds bliss.

Go go go! Honestly I would LOVE 24 hours in London on my own. The Tube is very easy to navigate. Bin off the concert if you can’t face it but don’t bin off the whole experience.

OMG don’t miss Wicked! You’ll love it even if you are on your own. I would almost kill to be going tomorrow on my own.....

please, please go. Go Go Go.

You'll be absolutely fine!! It's going to be excellent, you'll see!!

Please do this to show yourself you can!!

Maybe you could have an MN meet up in London? Post and ask if anyone can join you tonight in London for food and drinks? I would if I lived there. Or ask if anyone wants a free ticket on MN and to join you at the theatre? Lots will be interested.
I think one thing to remember is that you are staying at a nice hotel. So the staff there will help if anything goes wrong. I am sure it won't, but there is help there if you need it.
Also if you are feeling a bit anxious or lonely, then post on MN for support.

Go!
You can always come back early. But better to try it. Theatre on your own is fine.
I love staying in hotels alone, very liberating. Get room service then go for a wander.

Once you’ve done something like this once you’ll have so many options available to you in the future. I went on holiday on my own in my late 20’s. Met some friends I am still close to 20 years on. It was a life changer (I had terrible anxiety at the time).

If you don't feel brave enough to eat out by yourself in the evening, another option is to have a substantial lunch - lots of people eat lunch by themselves, then buy a sandwich, wine and chocolate for your tea to eat in your room.

OP I really do hope you decide to go, a short break alone is absolute bliss! I had a couple last summer and regret not doing it more often as I ended up pregnant shortly after (nothing to do with the weekends away from home ) Now my chances of something similar are slim to none.

I felt a bit self conscious dining alone at first but I realised that I had the chance of some uninterrupted people watching! I had freedom for the whole weekend to do what I wanted, when I wanted, nobody else to worry about. You’ll have an absolute blast and I’ve heard Wicked is fabulous. Do it, you won’t regret it I promise

Op I suffer from anxiety too. But some of the best days of my life were the solo days in London. The tube is easy to navigate and there are plenty of staff to help. Go to the British museum and have a wander. Then hit the book stores! Well, that’s what I’d do, and did. I felt safer there than I do back here in my little city in Australia.

Wicked is amazing! I’m sure a London MN might buy a ticket off you!