Today I went to one of my favorite Thai food restaurants, sat down, and had lunch….BY MYSELF!
Have you ever gone to a restaurant by yourself or maybe to the movies? I find it slightly refreshing, even a bit liberating but VERY intimidating. When I was in my early 20s I was talking to my aunt about a movie that I wanted to see and told her I needed to find someone to go with me. She couldn’t understand why I didn’t just go by myself. But I’ve never been to a movie by myself I told her. She explained to me that I needed to take time to do things like that alone to truly “find myself.” And she didn’t mean in some philosophical sense. She meant it from the standpoint of being confident, self-sufficient and taking that time for self-discovery.
To this day I STILL struggle with this. Even today I started wracking my brain on who might be able to have lunch last minute with me and desperately began to flip through my phone. But do you know that every single time I get brave enough to say, “Table for One,” I always find myself rejuvenated at the end of the meal?!
It’s these times when you immerse yourself in solitude that you can allow yourself to be enlightened on YOURSELF. It’s those times that you can find a new clarity on who you are as a person.
Random selfies….(Does anyone else feel super ridiculous taking selfies? Actually just looking at this collage makes me “ewww!” Daddy Russ always chuckles to himself when he sees me taking a selfie! You can tell I like sunglasses!)
For more creepy selfie pictures of me…follow my Instagram!
This is my sTORI being written as you read. – Love, Mommy Tori
I have also struggled with it. In fact I still do. I haven’t been to a restaurant alone. It is on my to do list. I have seen one movie alone. And I enjoyed that experience. I saw Help! (:
I think the movie alone is actually harder than a restaurant alone for some reason! Let me know when you try it!
Hello Tori. I struggle with doing those kinds of things by myself too. In fact I have never gotten the guts to actually do it. But your aunts perspective is motivating. I will consider it more seriously next time. Thanks for sharing!
Let me know if you try it, Amanda!!!
I definitely struggle with this, as I prefer to do everything with other people! But traveling for work when I was younger helped me get over not eating alone in restaurants by yourself. I quickly realized I wouldn’t eat at all if I didn’t eat by myself! 🙂
I was so terrible when I would travel for work. I usually would just pick up fast food and bring it to my room or order room service!
I love you!
LOVE YOU TOO!
I have conquered the meals alone. I like them once I’m there, but I don’t like the idea of it still. I don’t think I can do a movie alone. Mostly, I don’t like them enough, and I don’t even watch movies at home alone, really. But, I also like to have someone to share the experience with. Maybe one day.
Congratulations on conquering the meals alone! That’s pretty tough! I totally know where you are coming from regarding movies. It really is an experience that is nice to share with someone.
This is a good read! I wish I was more like you! I remember at my old 9-5 job, I would grab some food to go and then park somewhere and eat in my car on my lunch break! I will see if I can conquer this now that you’ve inspired me! By the way, I just love thai food. Thai chili is one of my favorite restaurants!
You can totally do it!! Maybe you’ll be sitting there are come up with your next song!! Side note, sounds like you and I need to have a Thai food lunch date soon!
I have done the eating alone thing–mainly in college when Husband (boyfriend at the time) would have work or class and I was hungry. But it’s never been at a nice restaurant.
I went to the movies alone once with the intention of watching it alone but my sister and her boyfriend showed up at the same theater so we ended up watching it together.
I’ve never been a great alone type person, though I guess I should try it sometime!
It’s really kind of nice once you are there but it’s hard to make yourself actually do it!