One of my funny little secrets is that I require a lot of solo time. I love parties, lunch-dates, family dinners, and am generally, really extroverted. I’ll start a conversation with anyone, and often find the challenge in navigating a party when you know no-one kind of entertaining. But I also need and value serious stretches of time alone. Unstimulated by another person. It’s something those close to me know, and I think it has something to do with being extroverted, having children, and have my work often be a “social” thing. The hours, and days of solitary pause to go back into the world and feel centered within it and those I love, can only really happen if I spend time with myself.
Here are five things I love to do alone in the city..
1. Visit the Brooklyn Museum at 11 AM in the middle of the week.
2. Eat a bagel and drink a large coffee on my favorite park bench at 9:30 AM on a Saturday.
3. Walk from SOHO, through the Lower East Side, and end in the East Village just because.
4. Have dinner for one at the bar of a beloved local restaurant.
5. Watch a crappy reality show on my couch at 10:30 PM
Besides reading a book, is there anything else I should add to my list? What do you do alone?
(Photograph by Barbara Klemm, Louvre Paris, 1987)
I like going to concerts by myself! You get to be around lots of people, but don't feel any obligation to talk to them if you don't want to.
Seat alone in my little garden
I like to go to the library alone. Sometimes I bring a good book to a coffee shop so I can read alone but still feel like I'm getting out of the house!
I love to go out to dinner alone, go to the beach alone, or hang out in my car almost anywhere (love that space). But my friend loves going to the movies alone, which I want to try.
Love this, Sarah!
Jessica, I have never been to a concert by myself! Good idea.
xo
I have gone to movies alone and really love it. Let me know how you like it.
xo
L
That's a favorite of mine as well.
Thanks for sharing Galina.
xo
L
I second the concert alone!
Need to try it!
xo
l