There’s something to be said about doing things on your own. It takes a certain sense of security and courage. I don’t mean spending the day at home by yourself reading books, watching movies or working on your pinterest boards; but going out and having adventures on your own. A month ago I spent the weekend in California, simultaneously the one place I’ve always wanted to go and a place I wasn’t looking forward to exploring alone. Gorgeous, yes, and also meant to be shared.
I stayed on Coronado with beautiful architecture, golden sand, sunny skies and breathtaking views as my constant companions. Besides working an event, I spent my time absorbed in the little things I felt most comfortable doing alone: walking on the beach, reading a good book, eating some indulgent food, and browsing little shops. And although I crossed another one off the bucket list (stepping into the Pacific!!), I knew I wasn’t making it as much of an experience as I could have.
That changed Monday morning seven hours before my flight home. Just me and and a plate of huevos rancheros. Breakfast really DOES have a substantial impact on your entire day.
Don’t be fooled, I did not head out of the resort thinking that I would grab a whole table to snack solo. I was headed for Starbucks, the “comfortable” place to get a standard greek yogurt with honey & granola, the “comfortable” place to be alone with a bunch of other people who are also mostly alone (with their USA Today…and newfoundlands).
I was passing by a cute little breakfast spot for the second time that weekend, salivating over their awesome breakfast choices and thinking how nice it would be to eat on their little patio, when I stopped and did a 180. I walked up to the hostess and calmly told her “table for one, please”. In that moment, I felt I had small victory. I took a seat outside in that patio I was pining over, and scanned the saliva-inducing menu. Most surprising of all is that I was comfortable. I enjoyed my food, the sun on my face, the comfortable weather, the people watching.
Everyone needs time alone, in fact, I love an afternoon to myself. But can you really savor your alone time? Do you enjoy the person you are when you’re not going along with plans or molding your adventures around interests of your friends of family? It’s not about asserting independence, but rather being comfortable in your own skin. So next time your boyfriend has plans that overlap with the local farmers market, or you can’t convince your film critic friend to see the final Twilight movie for kicks, or your closest buddy would rather watch nightly reruns of Real Housewives than hunt for constellations outside…or you’re the only one who would drive 60 miles for the opening of a gluten free bakery…consider doing it solo. It certainly won’t be the same, but you’ll surprise yourself by just how much you’ll grow (and explore, or laugh and cry at, or discover, or taste more of life) on your own than you would have by playing it safe. Sometimes memories are meant to be shared, but just sometimes, they’re meant to be savored.
Amelia's Musings 