Ticket for one

Ticket for one

Relax. This is not another break up story.

But we are thinking about being in the world by yourself. When we were younger we could not imagine going out alone.   

Loser. Nigel no friends. Loner. Pathetic. Sad. You’d never catch me doing that. 

Now we're older, we’ve turned a corner. Now we look out for the chance to hang by ourselves.

Independent. Self-assured. Confident. 'Making our mark on the world'.

These are some of the things we like doing by ourselves.

One of this Girl’s favourite things is to go see a film by myself. 
It all started when I was stood up by a girlfriend. We had planned to see Julie and Julia and she cancelled at the last minute. I really wanted to go so I decided to take myself off on that Sunday morning, by myself.

At first I was a little daunted. I soon discovered the half dozen seats occupied were taken by women flying solo.

Now it is one of the things I do for myself.

Over recent years, during winter illness, complete with cabin fever, I have taken myself off to the State Cinema to catch a flick: glass of sparkling in hand, munching on honeycomb and trying to suppress the coughs. 

A mid-week screening or a Saturday afternoon, going to the movies by yourself is a like a special treat.

Most of the time it strikes me when I should be somewhere else and I notice people out enjoying themselves. I want to be out enjoying myself, having breakfast in a cosy cafe and reading the paper.

The last time this Girl did it was mid-week. Instead of walking into work from North Hobart, I got off the bus closer to town. I took advantage of the early hour and before I had to start work, I shouted myself to breakfast.

I got to the Basket and Green and sat right in front of the heater where it was gloriously warm. I read the paper and indulged in a Rosti stack with mushrooms and pesto. It was the perfect way to start my day.

And I wasn’t alone being alone. There were around five others eating by themselves.

Hobart is a great place to hang by yourself. The State Cinema is a welcoming safe space to hang by yourself. In fact, while shooting the breeze over this blog the Two Girls met Shae eating by herself. She told us how much she enjoyed her own company and her own ritual of a flick at the State on a Sunday afternoon.

There are heaps of great cafes where it is okay to use a table for two, for one.

Spending time by yourself is more than healthy. You don’t have to shut yourself away inside. You can get out in the world and enjoy yourself. There is something fundamental about being comfortable in yourself. Flying solo in public is where you embrace it.