One of my dear readers told me the other day that she couldn’t go out for dinner by herself. She gets take out and goes home to eat alone. I understand that. It’s hard to be one in a world built for two. It can be intimidating to go out alone. I was married to a busy doctor for a long time so I was used to going out without him. Of course, I had a child with me, but it set a pattern. This served me well as I now have no problem going anywhere alone. My advice to my gentle reader was to take baby steps. Find an area coffee shop and take a good book. Even better, find a book store with a coffee shop in it. There’s bound to be plenty of people around and they will never notice you are unaccompanied. Sit near a window so you can daydream and people watch to keep your mind occupied. Carry enough cash with you to cover the bill and tip in case you can’t take it and have to make a dash for it. Try to do this at least once a week and don’t go to the same shop more than twice in a row. This will start a pattern of seeking new and interesting surroundings. You can go to a movie or a great art gallery alone. People do it all the time. Until you get brave enough to go at night, afternoons are perfect.

My problem is forgetting who I can call to join me when I would like company. I went to a poetry reading the other night. I was sitting at dinner, alone, when I sent a friend a text to see if she was going. She wasn’t going to go but said if I would, she would. I hadn’t seen her in years and she suggested calling her to have dinner next time. I’m going to make a note on my iPhone of the names and numbers of friends I can call when I want company. It’s less intimidating than the contact list.

So, get out there, sunshine! One little baby step at a time, till you’re going on a grand adventure of your own!