With some things in life, we don’t think about them twice before we do them alone. Yet, there are still a great number of activities and experiences people miss out on simply because they don’t have a companion to go with.
I’m sure it’s something that we are all guilty on, missing out on a band we like or a film at the cinema that we would really like to see. So just how terrifying is it to go solo and go an adventure where you hold your own hand? Not very. Yes, there is a little fear the first time you try, but just think how connected the emotions of fear and excitement are. Think about the butterflies in your stomach you get before a big date or an important interview. We’re nervous because we care about the outcome.
If you’re not anxious, then you probably don’t care all too much about it in the first place.
People often avoid doing things alone because it feels “sad” when ironically, what is sad, is the fact that people constantly miss out on the memories which could have been made if only we weren’t caught up in the misconception that people who enjoy solo ventures are lonely and maybe just a little bit weird.
So, we’ve put together a guide on how to tackle doing common activities which are commonly and wrongly perceived as group or partner activities.
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Going to Museums or Exhibitions
If you walk around any given gallery, you’ll notice that there are plenty of people walking around alone, taking in the enjoyment of the displays, looking peaceful, unrushed, unperturbed, just having the chance to truly connect with the art. If you think about it, going to a gallery alone makes perfect space. It’s not a place for you to have an in depth discussion about the latest office gossip or whatever was on TV last night. It’s your time to immerse yourself in culture, to learn and to grow.
If you’d like some amount of interaction when you get to the gallery or museum, why not take a guided tour? The tour guide is probably going to be a lot more insightful than those who you have to drag along!
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Going to Live Events and Gigs
Only losers go to gigs by themselves, right? Wrong! Whether you’re heading to an arena gig, or to your local venue, you’re bound to see people on their own wanting to surround themselves with people who enjoy similar music. At music events, there’s a sense of community amongst fans. You’re all there brought together by one common purpose. So why not strike up a conversation with them? You’ll have found someone who shares one of your passions, talk about your favourite album or song of the band. Remember that the art of enjoying music has changed. We now have access to such a diverse wealth of music that it’s not always likely you will have someone within your social circles who will appreciate the same music as you. Once you go to your first gig alone, you’ll see the difference between going with company. You no longer have to care about what they make of the music or the venue or whether they are having a good time. You can just simply relax!
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Nature Walks
There is no better way to clear your head than by reconnecting with nature. Whilst we may not have the option to take a friend or companion along with us, that doesn’t mean that you should miss out on going! There are plenty of ways to keep yourself entertained on a trip out of the city smoke. You can always try your hand at photography with your smartphone to see if you can capture any good shots of your surroundings, if it’s a nice day you can always take a book along with you. And of course you can always make the perfect playlist of music to keep you company as you are walking. It doesn’t matter where takes your fancy, it might be the beach, a park, a forest, anywhere. As long as you stay safe by not venturing there alone in the dark, you’ll soon start to see the benefit.
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Ready for a Big Trip?
If any of the above sounded daunting, then a weekend away or a solo holiday will almost certainly sound terrifying. But it really shouldn’t. Getting away from the humdrum of everyday life alone can be one of the most empowering things you’ll ever do. Yes it will feel scary, but remember, there’s absolutely no compromise on your trip away. It’s all about YOU. And if you’re worried about finding company don’t. When you travel alone, you leave yourself open to the opportunity of meeting other travellers or even locals you meet on your journey, and you’ll be amazed just how many amazing people you can connect with if you try. Before you travel make sure you have your itinerary all planned out so you’ll know where you want to go, what you want to see and what you want to eat. That way, you’ll be travelling with a purpose and direction. Download apps such as Trip Advisor which will tell you where the local landmarks are near you. Depending where you are in the world, you’ll be able to keep in constant contact with your friends and family back at home. Make sure your phone is loaded with plenty of apps to keep you occupied! Gaming websites such as Moneyreels.com are the perfect way to ensure that your mind is kept occupied, especially when playing super fluffy slot games like Fluffy Too slot.
Ready to Take the First Step?
After extensive research was carried out to get a view of how connected people truly are in the 21st century, it was found that we are lonelier than ever. It’s even becoming a public health issue, so taking actions to include yourself in society is a positive step. It’s a chance to create those meaningful relationships that we as a species crave. One study even found that loneliness was the equivalent of smoking 15 cigarettes a day!
So get out there, and embrace life, even if you are alone, you’ll feel a hell of a lot less lonely!