Spend some time with yourself.
I love to do this. I think I have always been someone who liked spending time indoors, reading or listening to music or be in my own little world. I used to think I was a ‘loner’, but now I feel like I just like to spend time with myself.
I wouldn’t say I am the most fascinating person on earth, but I am, to me.
I know a lot of people find it hard to go for a meal or a movie alone. Some find it plain weird. I know many who complain that people at restaurants stare and sometimes even ridicule them because they are eating there alone. I believe them. I have been on the receiving end of all of that. But, to be honest it doesn’t affect me much. It never has.
In the current world, we are almost always so connected. Social media has made it so easy for us to stay connected. Even, when you are alone, you are not. I mean unless you switch everything off.
So this brings me to today, my parents suddenly decided to go to a movie in the evening. They do that a lot. I am a little more particular about what I like to watch and spend my money on so I decided to skip it. But, I also did not feel like staying at home. (I mean it’s a Saturday, one must go out on a Saturday, right?) I asked around to see if anyone was available. None were.
Well, then it’s a date. With me!
As usual, the first thing I love to do is shop for groceries. Yes, I love to go grocery shopping. Be it at malls or the farmers’ markets. I like to make a list, read the labels and look at the ingredients. I like to see which fruits and vegetables “call to me” and I love to roam around the aisles. I usually enjoy walking around with my earphones plugged in. Today I was listening to a book, “The early cases of Hercule Poirot” by Agatha Christie. It is a collection of short stories and it was simply perfect for the occasion.
Once, I was satisfied with everything I got, I decided it was time to walk around the mall. I love to walk. But thanks to my recent aggravated allergies I can hardly step outside without coughing myself to near death. So, now I love walking for hours inside enclosed malls. (And it doesn’t involve window shopping, sometimes I do not even notice what shops are there) This one is pretty big and luckily it wasn’t crowded that day.
Of course, no date is complete without a meal. I decided to splurge a little. My date is special after all. I noticed a new restaurant had opened up, Indigo Delicatessen. I remembered the name from when I was in Mumbai and remembered having an amazing meal there, so I decided to indulge.
Well, 45 minutes and a plate of lamb chop and sautéd pork later, I felt satisfied. My wallet felt the pinch, hard, very hard but I was happy.
The whole day turned out to be so good. I felt rejuvenated.
I believe in one thing, if you can be comfortable being with yourself, you can be comfortable anywhere. I have learned one thing over the years when I choose to be around others, it is a choice. I don’t need anyone but I want them.
I do not know if this sounds like a psychotic rant of a self-centered human or someone who truly enjoys their own company as much as she does of others. Either way, I am happy!
How about you? Do you like to spend time with yourself? Do you talk to yourself? Do you find it hard to go out for a meal or a movie without someone accompanying you?