Going it alone…
I am a social being and really enjoy nothing more than being in the thick of a great group of people. Society says that we should nearly always be with another person for fear of looking like we have no friends or a loner. The only acceptable past times to partake in alone appear to be walking and running and even then many chose to have a friend with them.
I enjoy being alone sometimes. I have some friends that hate it. They get jittery and find themselves reaching for their phones to organise company at the mere mention of it.
On Monday night I had dinner all on my own. I went to a concert all on my own. I said no to joining others for a drink afterwards all on my own. I had a fantastic night, all on my own.
This evening on my own came about very spontaneously. I was desperately looking for tickets to go see Gary Barlow in The Olympia but couldn’t find any. Then at 4.30pm on the day of the gig one ticket became available. I didn’t hesitate for one second and jumped at it!
Dinner was in Crackbird. A fantabulous and trendy chicken joint in Dublin where whole and half chickens are served in buckets with sides. I sat beside a gay couple and, because I was on my own, secretly observed their relationship dynamic as I ate my half chicken with my fingers.
I just took it all in. I observed everyone and everything. I was in the moment.
Crackbird Dublin
Soy & Garlic Half Chicken with Slaw at Crackbird
I then went along and joined the Q to get into The Olympia to see Gary Barlow perform. I was so excited to get a last minute ticket via a request I put out on twitter… twitter can solve almost everything. So I headed into the venue and found a perfect space in front of a barricade for me to lean on and only three meters from the front of the stage.
Everyone had someone with them. Except me and, ironically, the guy standing beside me. I knew he was on his own and he knew I was on my own but I resisted to urge to strike up a bit of friendly chat. I was happy being on my own. A group of 40yr old women shuffled up beside me and I was so tempted on may occasions to answer some of their questions they were asking each other. I knew the answers and would normally pipe up but I held back and just let them figure it out for themselves.
The warm up act came on. Everyone appeared to paused for a few minute and then resumed talking. I instead stood and listened to her sing and chat. Her name is Nell Bryden and she was fabulous. She gave a lovely little intro to each song; what it meant to her and where it came from. Here is one of her songs that I really liked It’s not like loving you.
Nell Bryden
Then came the main act. Gary. Oh Gary! He was brilliant. He took to the stage with a magnificent twinkle in his eyes, had lots of energy, banter and didn’t take himself too seriously.
And best of all, I got to watch every moment of it without being distracted by anyone. OK, I admit, I sent a few tweets but that was it. Gary had my full attention for the concert. I’d only love to be able to say that he noticed!!
Gary Barlow, Dublin 7 Jan 2013
Gary Barlow, Dublin 7 Jan 2013
So what’s the moral of this post…. do some stuff on your own every now and then. Plug out from your phone – I am a slave to mine and it is one of my resolutions to lift my head from my phone more often than I do.
Take in your surroundings. Savour everything. There is a lot happening around us that we are missing out on.
Great post – need to take some of your advice myself. Enjoy my own company but spend too much time on my phone when alone.
Thanks! I’m still learning to lift my head from my phone but I’m getting there!
Nice post. There’s nothing like a little ‘me time’ every now and then, particularly when you have kids!
You constantly amaze me – so (boring word!) sensible. It’s all about taking time out to be grounded/smell the roses. Go Jilly. Love ya! GAMx
My No.1 fan! thanks for reading!
I really enjoyed this post. You are right we do spent too much time being busy instead of spending some quality time we outselves. Sounded like you had a great night!
J
Thanks! I had a ball!
As a single girl with all my friends coupled-up, I often have to do stuff on my own. Went to Montreal and Quebec City on my own a few years back (I had been there before, not THAT brave!) but it was great. If I wanted to talk to someone, I could strike up a conversation, and if I didn’t, I didn’t. Gives you lots of time to think, observe and enjoy.
Great post – I once spent a summer in London where everybody else was at work all day- I loved setting out every day & exploring new places; watching Rankin photograph random people in Brick Lane, eating macaroons in Harrods or lying under a tree in Hyde park reading ‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’. However, I’m much less inclined to do things on my own in Cork- because you’ll just end up meeting people you know anyway!