Growing Up Is Getting Comfortable Doing Things Alone That Are Awesome To Do Alone

No one prepares you to get older - it just happens. I am not sure where the last 20 years went but here we are. The beauty of growing up though, is you learn things without even realizing you're learning them at the time. There is nothing quite like learning to appreciate doing things alone. Yes, I have a family I adore but there is nothing wrong with wanting to take time for yourself, especially as you get older when it becomes harder. 

I saw this tweet the other day and without clicking on the profile I would venture to say the author cannot be more than 22 or 23 years old. 

Short answer? No. There is nothing weird or pathetic about seeing a movie by yourself. 

It got me thinking about what other activities are great to do alone so I present to you the definitive list and since I wrote it you know it's legit. 

Go to the movies

This is the 1-1 pick for a reason. Going to the movies alone is the absolute best. As the tweet above indicates though, so many people are preoccupied with what others think if they see you solo at the theater. First of all, getting older is also caring less and less what other people think. Strangers especially. Some folks develop this gene at a younger age but everyone reaches this level of comfort at their own pace. 

Let's think about it though. When you go to the movies are you talking to other people? Are you sharing a meal? What purpose does it serve to have someone there with you? Is anyone actually even looking at you while you're in your seat? Don't get me wrong, I have enjoyed every Fast and Furious I've seen in the theater with Feits but we didn't enhance the experience for one another. The only difference is we debriefed right after the movie ended as opposed to talking about it at a later date. 

This is no different than watching a movie solo in your living room except there are other people in the room and the screen is much larger. Go do it. 

Bar for a single drink or lunch

Bars exist almost exclusively as a place for people to come to congregate and socialize with one another. However, stroll into a bar solo around 3pm on a Friday and you're walking into a whole new world. Saddle up at the corner of the bar. Maybe you have your laptop. Preferably you have a book or magazine. Maybe you just need a bite to eat and don't want to sit at a big table. You chat up the bartender just enough to be friendly but not so much that you're keeping him/her from prepping for happy hour. Perhaps you meet an interesting fella a few stools down from you that you end up having drinks with until 2am. You might be in and out after 45 minutes after having a burger on your way to your next stop. Who knows. The point is, the possibilities are endless when you pop into a haunt with nothing but time and an open mind. 

Vacation

I will admit, this one takes a little bit more chutzpah, especially if you're going international. 

You're committing yourself to multiple days solo. Some look at this as an adventure while others would have a little more trepidation because you don't have your safe space (friends/family) to fall back on after a day or two. Personally, I don't have any issues striking up a convo with strangers so I think I could handle a solo vacation. But what's nice is if you don't feel like talking to anyone, you can excuse yourself and be on your way. There is something to be said for not having to consider anyone else when traveling. Eat when you want. Sightsee where you want. Lay all day on the beach or go for an excursion. Major upside to being on a vacation alone. 

Ski/Snowboard

Outside of the ride up on the lift, being on the mountain isn't terribly social. Yes, you can take runs together and stop off to chat at different parts of the run but you're not getting into lengthy conversations. Throw in some headphones and take whatever route down the mountain that suits your desire for the day. As for the après scene, well, scroll up and follow the manual on going to a bar alone. Maybe you just want a few beers to take the edge off a long day on the slopes or maybe you get swallowed into a big group that ends up hanging all night. 

Go to a museum

Not everyone is a museum person. It takes a very certain sort of individual to enjoy museums and really want to take them in for all they are worth. Not all museums are created equal - the person who wants to head to Cooperstown is potentially drastically different than the person who wants to get lost in MOMA for the afternoon. However, even if you have the same interests, people consume whatever is on display in different ways so it's easiest to go at your own pace. The one museum I would not recommend solo would be the 9/11 museum but I highly encourage everyone to go there at least once. 

Concert

This is akin to the movies because you're there to hear the music, not talk to your friends the whole time. I have had some very serious fun times at concerts with friends. There was even one concert I attended where a historic peace treaty was signed. 

Sometimes though you realize one of your favorite artists is in town and you don't have time to gather up a crew to attend. Just jump on Gametime promo code STOOL and get yourself to the show. In a room of thousands, no one is going to notice you by yourself. The best part about concerts as opposed to sports is that everyone is on the same team. Concerts are some of the most friendly events out there because everyone is a fan of whomever is on stage so the idea of striking up a convo with someone in line for beer or sitting next to you is always on the table. At the end of the day, you're there to take in the tunes so don't ever be afraid to get that ticket. 

Living alone 

Sometimes you want to make your family disappear and be solo to walk around your house in your underwear. This is the one item on my list that I do not advocate for as a long term solution. However, at some point in your life it's good to live alone. You manage your time, your house, your TV viewing, and all activities without answering to anyone. There is tranquility in that freedom. Silence is golden sometimes. Conversely, there is an argument to be made for wanting a full, bustling house. To fully appreciate that I think it's imperative to spend time alone. 

Golf

This right here - it's late in the day. Maybe you're playing a few balls for practice. Maybe you had a few hours to yourself so you're squeezing in 18. Whatever the case, walking or riding on a golf course alone is a level of serenity not found a lot of places. The only downside to this would be if you somehow get a hole in one. 

Fire Pit

Maybe I'm biased because I love fires but there is just something about the crackling of the wood and dancing flames that soothes me. I am brought to a place that I can't go anywhere else. Maybe you have some scotch or whiskey. A fine cigar. Perhaps some light music. Whatever the set up might be, being alone with yourself and a fire is primal in the best way possible. Ain't nothing better, folks.

In a world full of distractions, there ya have it folks. Go pick out a few of these items and bring yourself back to even. Enjoy the weekend.