Running. Writing. Reading.
These are all things I love to do and all things that are socially acceptable to do alone.
Going to the Movies. Going out to eat.
Also things I love to do but not necessarily acceptable to do solo.
Recently I decided I wanted to go to the movies… alone (dun, dun, dunnnn). Now, I’ve heard about this phenomena: my mom does it, Bradley Cooper does it, and it’s even on someone’s list of 1,000 Awesome Things but despite living alone in another country, I’d never been to the cinema alone.
I don’t think many people have.
After thinking about it for only a few minutes I came to realize that it’s not such a big deal at all, I’m 28 and if I want to go to the movies, who should stop me? So I made a date with myself, asked a few friends what I should see, and penciled my name in for the 1 o’clock showing of Lone Survivor.
Everything went smoothly: I showed up on time (okay, early), paid for myself (easy), and bought myself some popcorn (a small is ENORMOUS by the way). I think I stayed under everyone’s radar as well because, let’s be honest, no one was watching me.
I think this is what we all fear the most about doing anything. What will other people think of me?
Ponder that for a minute though, how many times have you seen someone at the movies alone? What about out at a restaurant?
Can’t think of a time? That’s because you probably didn’t notice.
It’s funny, we all think that everyone is watching us… but we give each other too much credit. Human beings are naturally directly concerned with themselves, most of the time not noticing what’s going on around them.
It’s true. We worry so much about what other people are thinking when it’s probably more likely that “they” aren’t thinking about us at all.
So, ultimately I think we’d all rather see a movie with someone but if you ever find yourself craving a movie theater experience, don’t be afraid to go alone. Fear only, the size of the small popcorn!