Going Alone is More Fun

I can remember anymore being afraid to go anyplace alone. In fact, I rather prefer it now. When you go places with friends or dates, you pretty much end up talking to only them and miss out on all the interesting people you come into contact with on your outing.

I was eating lunch by myself in a Fort Worth restaurant when an older couple at the next table noticed me. “Why honey, what are you doing sitting over there by yourself?” the woman questioned. “You just come on over here and eat with us.”

So I did.

By the end of the meal, not only had I made new friends, but I found out what they did and did not like about living in Fort Worth, and could have had a weekend date with their dentist. It was an enriching experience.

I’ve been asked out on dates, found a tour guide to a new city, and received a necklace from a man at a bar who was planning on giving it to his girlfriend before she dumped him for another guy. He was so grateful for my empathetic ear that he pulled the wrapped box out of his pocket and insisted I take it.

I’ve learned new fishing techniques, had someone fix my car, got discounts at a flea market just for chatting with the vendor, and free items I was coveting  at a yard sale but couldn’t afford. I was invited to join a community choir, learned the latest two-stepping moves, been invited to a party that needed “pretty women” to fill out the guest list, and learned hands-on knowledge of harvesting grapes.

I don’t think any of these opportunities would have come along had I been part of a couple or a group, mostly because I would have paid attention to my partner and not been open to new people and opportunities.

Am I sometimes fearful of starting out? Sure, I can be, but I go anyway and have never regretted it.  Do I get lonely? Not really. There’s always something interesting to see, do or learn, and someone to talk to. Am I an extrovert? I score right on the line between Introvert and Extrovert. Am I a wild thing? Not likely; I’m a conservative middle-aged woman, so if I can do it, so can you.

I guess I just don’t understand the pack mentality. I’m here to say don’t be afraid to venture out, even if you don’t have anyone to go with. Enjoy the single life.

I can’t wait to see what will happen the next time I go out.