Does today's topic sound depressing? Well it is if you want to look at it that way. Or you could look at being solo as a new adventure, or segment of your life. I personally like to look at it as a challenge, which is the way I look at anything I'm scared of.
Maybe you're solo because you up and moved to a new city where you knew no one, or maybe you're solo because you've just been through a breakup. Whatever the reason, if you just sit at home and wallow in self-pity, you'll always be solo. If there is one thing I've learned, it's that people don't miraculously appear out of thin air and ask you to
come out and play. You've gotta do the leg work.
So here are my tips to not feel self-conscious while getting out and making moves..... solo!
Veenie is my wing dog. I obviously love General more than anything, but have you ever tried navigating a patio with a beagle-----SQUIRREL! SQUIRREL SQUIRREL SQUIRREL SQUIRREL SQUIRREL SQUIRREL SQUIRREL SQUIRREL SQUIRREL SQUIRREL SQUIRREL SQUIRREL SQUIRREL SQUIRREL SQUIRREL SQUIRREL MOM MOM MOM MOM SQUIRREL SQUIRREL SQUIRREL SQUIRREL SQUIRREL SQUIRREL SQUIRREL SQUIRREL SQUIRREL!!!!
So Veenie is my go to for walks downtown to explore Klyde Warren Park, trail walking at Katy Trail, or patio sitting on a Spring Sunday afternoon. You aren't solo with your best wing pup!
When you have a camera in your hand, it makes you appear to have a purpose.
Oh, she's a photographer and she is working right now. Or,
Oh she is a tourist! Or,
Oh, she is new here! All of these scenarios could even lead to a conversation with a stranger/new friend! Keep in mind, this post includes tips to make you feel better about being solo. No one around you cares who you are or what you're doing alone.
Walk with confidence. Walk as if you're walking to something specific, even if you're just roaming. Again, these are all things to make yourself feel better and more confident when you're out alone.
When you're at the beach or on vacation, isn't food a source of entertainment? Use food as your entertainment in your hometown too! Whether it is visiting a food truck or taking yourself out for sushi, eating gives you something to do! You've gotta eat on the weekends, right? I would recommend making a list of restaurants you've never been to, but have heard are great. Maybe they have a great view, a killer patio, or the best ahi tuna in town. Then start crossing them off, or
instagramming them as you visit!
I'm personally at the point where there ain't no shame in my sitting alone game. I actually kind of enjoy it. But if you are new to this whole solo lifestyle, start with hotel bars. The majority of people will be alone, so you won't feel uncomfortable or out of place. Are you going to make a new friend that lives near you? Probably not, but you may make a new pen pal!
I have a neighborhood bar that I really like and can walk to called the Elbow Room. Every time I've gone there I've struck up a conversation with someone, or they've struck up a conversation with me. It is a great bar to watch a Dallas game. So I plan when I head over there based on what time the game is, then I have something to watch... and voila, less uncomfortable because I have a purpose!
Sitting at an actual table is not only uncomfortable when you're alone, but you're going to make your server mad by wasting their table of 4, on a 1-top. Sit at the bar and you'll have the bartender to talk to, televisions to watch and you won't feel like you're a waste of perfectly good space. Plus, the vibe is just better for a single at the bar!
So those are my tips for getting out and enjoying life, solo! What tips would you add that have made you feel more comfortable doing things by yourself?
well isn't this the best?! i love this. and i think this is good whether you're solo or not. these are excellent places to hang out and make friends. heck i need to make more friends and I've lived in dallas my whole life!
ReplyDeleteGreat tips! It can be so uncomfortable to be out on your own but at the same time the best way to have a great adventure.
ReplyDeleteLove this. Props to you for enjoying the phase of life you're in, instead of sweating it. I aspire to be more like that!
ReplyDeleteThese are awesome tips. I am newly single and most of my friends are in relationships so I need to start doing things on my own. It just sounds so incredibly scary to go out and do things on my own. These tips are great and I will definitely need to keep them in mind.
ReplyDeleteEspecially agree with #7 and it's also easier to meet other people sitting solo.
ReplyDeleteAs a single gal who moves around a lot I can relate to all of these. I especially laughed at the plan things around food part b/c I've done that so many times haha
ReplyDeleteThis is great! I took a trip abroad to Australia by myself and I was nervous but had so many great experiences when I put myself out there! The sitting at the bar rule is a must, and safety is good to keep in mind as a girl too, but magic happens when you step out of your comfort zone :) Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI love it! I am moving to a new city in a few months and will definitely be utilizing these tips. I think the best advice you can give someone who is alone in a new place is to realize that you DON'T actually look stupid. Do your best to have confidence and realize that you deserve to be out and about, having a good time, just like anyone else. And you don't need anyone else to make that the truth!
ReplyDeleteI'll be making the "big move" by myself later this year so ill def be using these tips..I have a beagle too so top priority will be getting a 2nd dog as my "wing dog"
ReplyDeleteI love that you are brave enough to do all this by yourself!
ReplyDeleteLove this post!
ReplyDeleteI think my biggest tip is just simply to act confident. If you act confident, eventually you'll feel confident. I've found that people actually envy those of us that are brave enough to go out on the town solo, so just remembering that helps me have the confidence to get out there and do whatever I want, whether I have company or not.
I hate even grocery shopping by myself, but I really need to work on that walk with purpose thing. And I need to hit up some bars by myself. I used to do that and I got to know the bartenders really well (FREE DRINKS).
ReplyDeleteYou have to go check out Canton one month. Bet you would have some great pics. It is great people watching lol Plus you can find such random things
ReplyDeleteHey Sarah!! I love this post, really great* tips! I Will definitely be keeping these things in mind for sure! Love your photo's, especially the first one! Your doggie(s) is so cute!! :D XOXO
ReplyDeleteLisa,xo
http://chiclittlethrills.blogspot.com/
I love this! You go girl!! XO
ReplyDelete"Have a wing dog" I laughed so hard!
ReplyDeleteLove the camera and dog tips, they really are conversation pieces! It is so hard to venture out on your own but so rewarding when you do it and feel good afterwards!
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ReplyDeleteThis is the part I'm dreading with next month's move. It seems the older we get, the harder it is to meet new people. Noone wants to be the new girl in their mid to late twenties, but we gotta start somewhere. Great tips!
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't alone, but my mom and I once spent a whole afternoon/night in downtown Seattle going from bar to bar having a cocktail and appetizer then going to the next one, it was so much fun and would definitely work for this as well!
ReplyDeleteYes some great tips although sometimes it is nice to sit alone at a table and people watch
ReplyDeleteYou're great at dating yourself!! I am trying and I love it too!
ReplyDeleteGreat tips! I used to be sad about no one wanting to see the same concerts that I wanted to go to, but then I went by myself and now I prefer it!
ReplyDeleteThis is seriously such a great post; one I really needed right now.
ReplyDeleteFYI--photo #2 was taken at The Rustic and I feel SUPER important knowing that.
Great post! I think it's important to do things alone every so often. It keeps you independent!
ReplyDeleteMy most recent solo activity involved a trip to the Philly Art Museum (I actually just posted this). Adventures were had and excessive self awareness defeated!
Jenn | Business, Life & Design
This is a phenomenal post, and exactly what I needed!
ReplyDeleteI know I will be moving around a lot with my new job, and I really want to take better advantage of new cities instead of being afraid to do so because I'm alone.
Food, photos, sports, and drinks? Can't go wrong there :)
ReplyDeleteIn college I would always go to places by myself. I'm completely fine with it. I love all your tips. I love sitting at the bar regardless
ReplyDeleteWine. Wine makes me more comfortable when I'm alone. ;) Just kidding (kind of). I really love to take myself out for a Saturday afternoon drink on a patio and bring along a good book - there is NOTHING more relaxing than a margarita during your Game of Thrones session. Except maybe reading anything besides Game of Thrones.
ReplyDeleteGreat points! #3 reminds me of when I was a tour guide in DC and school groups would drag everything out by walking SO slow...I decided to start telling them, "Walk with a purpose!" Did it work? No. Does it relate to this post? No. Ah well...
ReplyDeleteI'm late to the party, but love this post! As someone who will be moving around frequently in the upcoming year, I think these are some great tips!
ReplyDeleteLove your blog! Too bad I didn't start blogging until I left DFW cause I totally would have been your blate! Watching the Rangers play is my specialty :)