Table For 1, Please!
Once upon a time in my life, I would have never been caught dead indulging in the simple pleasures of eating alone, shopping alone, or going to the movies alone. I must say, I was quite the social butterfly, always fluttering from one social gathering to another, enjoying the delightful company of others. My friends and I would often indulge in fabulous girls’ day or night outings, creating unforgettable memories and having an absolute blast. After getting married, my social life took a different turn, although I still loved being around other people. My husband and I always traveled and did everything together; we had a lot of fun together and continue to do so. When I wasn’t with my hubby, I was hanging out with friends and passing a good time (Laissez les bon temps rouler)!
After four blissful years of marriage, we were blessed with the arrival of our first bundle of joy. And just a year later, our hearts expanded even more as we welcomed our second precious child into the world. Two children in two years means that our home has been and continues to be incredibly busy. As a parent, it becomes abundantly clear that your entire life revolves around your children. Making sure they get to all the places they need to go, setting up play dates, and, of course, making time for date nights with your spouse. These are just a handful of the many hats you become accustomed to balancing as a parent. I found myself around so many people all the time.
Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE people and am a pretty social person, but we all need some downtime.
My husband and I are very good at letting one another know when we have commitments elsewhere or need time apart to hang out with friends. In the past several years, I’ve made it a point to focus only on myself during my “me time.” I don’t call anyone to hang out, and I absolutely love it!
I am thrilled to embark on solo adventures, whether it’s catching a movie, indulging in a delicious meal, or shopping all by myself.
There’s something amazing about embracing being alone and immersing myself in these experiences without any distractions. These are the things that I never thought I would find myself enjoying. While eating a HOT meal by myself, I’ll sit at the table, scrolling through my phone. I have realized that embracing alone time is not embarrassing, but the point where you’ve reached the ultimate level of adulting. Embracing the freedom of not caring what others might think, as I’ve received pitiful looks while eating alone. With a smile, I continue eating. It’s truly a gratifying experience, one that is quite funny sometimes!
So, to any mom who may be feeling overwhelmed, take some time to be alone. To the mom who has reached her level of people-ing for the week, find the time to be alone. To the mom who finally has an afternoon to herself, treat yourself to a movie. To the mom who isn’t sure she wants to go anywhere alone, DO IT! You won’t regret it! I’ve found that being alone for just a few hours rejuvenates me. It fills me up to tackle another hectic week of doing all the things we parents do.
