The Magic of Going Out All Alone

Learning to deeply enjoy your own company

Maybe you’re planning to soon travel alone. Or maybe your friends are the kind who prefer staying at home rather than going to the club.

You’re right. You can’t rely on others to do your things and live your life.

But it’s not easy. Not many people know how to be alone. First, you need to learn to enjoy your own company. It’s not something we are used to. It can sometimes even be a bit terrifying. It definitively means stepping out of your comfort zone.

But.

Some of the best things in your life are going to happen this way.

Let me tell you a short story. I think it’s a good example of what I’m saying, plus it’s very recent.

I’m currently writing this article from a coffee shop in Berlin, near Potsdamer Platz. I’ve been spending the week here, totally by myself. How come? I just found cheap flights while surfing the Internet, I booked them, booked a hostel, and packed my things. Here I am. Plus I’m a freelancer, so I can work from wherever I want to.

I’ve been traveling by myself before, but every time it’s the same: the day before, I feel a little bit stressed.

Traveling by yourself definitely means stepping out of your comfort zone. You can’t rely on anyone other than you. So you’ll have to handle some situations by yourself. And the truth is: it’s okay. It’s not that difficult.

However, traveling alone doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy public spaces such as bars, restaurants, and clubs. Especially if you’re young. I am.

So on Friday, I just invited myself to a Greek restaurant. I sat at a small table, all by myself. A little girl was staring at me for some time, probably wondering why I was sitting alone. And then she stopped. Alone people at the restaurant are not that common. And you can sometimes feel a little bit awkward too. It’s normal.

But the truth is: I enjoyed my meal a lot more than if I had been with other people. I had all the time I needed to choose my food. I could taste it, taking my time, without having to talk. I wasn’t distracted. It was really a meal eaten with mindfulness. I wasn’t on my phone — please, don’t either, that’s the biggest trap. I was just looking around, enjoying my time.

The day after, on Saturday, there was a party at a club that looked very cool. To be totally honest, I hesitated. Going to the club by yourself is kind of the next level than the restaurant thing. But I did go. I booked my ticket online, got dressed, did my hair, and just went.

And I had one of the best nights of my life. I just stepped into the club, ordered a drink at the bar, and went around, discovering the place (Berlin has some amazing clubs), and danced. Nobody stared. I didn’t feel awkward. I just totally and fully enjoyed myself.

At some point, as I was resting on a sofa, a woman — who was alone as well — just sat by my side and started talking to me. We had such a strong connection that we kept talking for hours until 4 a.m. The next day, we met again at a bar, and she made me taste German beers, before us playing kicker against two men.

These moments were some of the best I had in Berlin. And it all happened for one reason: I went out alone.

Learn to enjoy your own company. Being with people is fun and totally needed, don’t get me wrong, but sometimes you just have to try something else. Being around people is comforting, but it can prevent you from discovering new people and new things. Just step out of your comfort zone, and see what happens.

You won’t be disappointed.

Other articles you may like: