Ever felt weird about doing something alone? Never fear! Let us at upstart quell your insecurities, as our brightest noggins have come together to share what we feel comfortable doing alone. We are, after all, journalism students…
Music gigs and concerts
I have missed out on going to gigs because I didn’t purchase tickets in time, and I haven’t had the funds to go. But I’ve never withdrawn from going because no one wanted to go with me!
It’s not my fault my taste in music soars above that of my friends’. Why should that stop me from having a good time?
Going to music gigs alone allows you to really see the venue for what it is, and the people around you. I’ve made so many friends at music gigs; striking conversations over the obvious topic of music.
However, for some concerts, I don’t even invite anyone to come with me. I choose not to be distracted by someone constantly commenting in my ear when I’d rather allow myself to be hypnotised by the performance. Being alone allows for one, to truly enjoy the performance for what it is, and, as scary as it sounds, build a connection with the artist – you’re in the safe room after all.
For those who aren’t convinced and are too scared to stand alone, look on the bright side – or, not so bright side: Once the show starts, the place is dark. No one will see that you’re alone.
After all, it’s all about the music.
Travel
Travelling is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have and doing it alone can enhance it.
When you are by yourself you get to set the itinerary, if you want to spend the days touring historical sites and the nights sampling the local cuisine that’s alright. Alternatively you can spend all night partying and all day in bed; do whatever you want to, it’s your holiday.
Bruce McCandless in the first ever untethered space walk, February 7 1984 #space pic.twitter.com/rjRBx0E3fj
— Jack Foster (@Jackasouras) March 29, 2014
I recently spent six months in America travelling alone and had the time of my life. Nothing could compare to walking the busy streets of New York or San Francisco alone. You don’t have anyone dragging you to somewhere you don’t like or complaining about somewhere you enjoy, you are free to just explore.
Another perk of travelling alone is surprisingly the company. Meeting people from all around the world is one of the best parts of travel and when you are with a friend or a group you normally stay with them.
As a solo traveller you are forced to talk to strangers for company and in doing so you will meet some amazing people with incredible stories and maybe even make a friend or two.
So when you plan your next trip go where you want to go, do what you want to do and don’t let anyone get in your way.
Going to the football
Growing up in Sydney, I cherished every opportunity I had to go to the ‘happiest place on Earth’.
But you can keep your mouse, castle and princesses, because to a young football tragic travelling to Melbourne most holidays, all I wanted to do was go to the MCG.
As a kid in the nineties and noughties, I’d see the (not so) mighty Hawks strive to a (moral) victory, but one game per weekend at the home of football was not enough, so I’d be returning to the ‘G the next day alone.
And at 22, with (I like to think) a lot more friends, I still go to the footy alone.
The beauty of attending a game of AFL at the ‘G is about more than what happens on the field – some of the best frivolities occur in the outer.
Last year I sat in the Great Southern Stand on my lonesome, and heard a cat-call from the peanut gallery that made me feel like I wasn’t alone at the ‘G at all.
“The game started an hour and a half ago Heath Shaw – YOU TWIT!”
I choose to not have a radio for commentary when I go alone either. If you’re being fed analysis through your ears, you fail to trust what you are seeing with your eyes – whether that be tactics, positioning of players or the atmosphere of which you are a small part.
As a lover of the small things about a day at the football, any opportunity to head to be at the MCG is worth it.
Having a coffee at a cafe
I love doing things alone. One of my favourites is getting coffee, or going to a cafe by myself.
When I’m at cafes I like to read, do work for university, write, or just sit and think. I have a pretty busy mind so it helps to organise internally as well as externally.
Whenever I get the time to go to a cafe by myself, it excites me to get the chance to go and eat whatever food I want, without having to base my decision on what my friends might want to eat, or where they can’t be bothered going to.
It seems petty but it’s quite exhilarating to sit back and think, “where do I want to go?”
I try not to say it out loud often.
There’s something about the vibe of a cafe. It always seems conducive to productivity. Cafes are always a ‘not too loud’ and ‘not too quiet’ – the perfect environment.
If you’ve never tried it before, I challenge you, go out, get some great food, drink great coffee, and bring a good book.
You won’t regret it.
Have we missed something that you like to do alone? Let us know in the comments below!
