4 things you should try alone

Hey out there! If you've been following along with me for some time now, you've probably gathered that I'm currently living alone. I've been through periods of life with roommates, but can honestly say that I've experienced some crucial growth since I've moved to be on my own. When you live with a roommate, you constantly have companionship (which is good and bad sometimes). This means that you can always have a partner-in-crime for binge watching Netflix, grabbing meals out, going to grocery store, etc. This may lead to the misconception that you NEED someone else to do these activities to have a good/productive time. Y'all, that is SO FALSE. Doing certain things alone can be scary but totally worth it. Here are a few things I think every adult should do alone at some point in their lives:

1 Live alone. While there's absolutely value in co-habitating, I think that everyone should experience living alone. There's nothing quite like it! You have the flexibility to reach out when you want company or just relax in your own awesomeness within every square foot of your place if you want to be alone. You are forced to identify your own design style/taste and I think it's healthy to learn how you live naturally. Do you make your bed everyday even if you know no one else will see it? Do you leave dishes in the sink? Are you tidy? It's absolutely a self-discovery experience and will prepare you to understand what you bring to the table (both good and bad) when you live with someone else again!

2 Eat a nice dinner out alone. The idea of this used to terrify me. When I worked in a restaurant, I always felt pity for people who came in to eat alone. I caught myself thinking "Aw, how sad! I hate that they don't have anyone to come out to eat with!" Maybe it has come with age, but I never realized the courage and confidence it takes to take yourself out to a nice meal. It's absolutely easier to stay at home and order Chinese if you don't have a dinner date. And while it does feel weird at first, I now find it to be empowering. If you want a steak, go get yourself a steak! Bring a book, or your iPad, and enjoy a quality meal. Why? Because you can and you deserve it!

3 See a movie alone. This is another silly thing that I used to care too much about! I was embarrassed to go out alone to see a movie, no matter how badly I wanted to see the film. When you actually think about it- this is the EASIEST thing to do alone because it's a solitary activity! You go and sit down in a dark theater to stay quiet and enjoy a movie. Then you leave. I promise you, no one cares if you walk in and out alone. They probably won't even notice. Go and get yourself a popcorn, icee, and some twizzlers- or wine if you're at that kind of theater!

4 Go to the grocery store alone. Now that I do this alone every week, I am not sure that I want to do this with company again. It is so much easier to get through the store and to get everything you need (and nothing extra) when you are alone. You don't really need to discuss much while in the store, especially if you come with a list, and if you're going slowly to socialize- you're probably holding up others!

Do you have anything that you are afraid to do alone? I urge to you give it a try, it can be so invigorating to challenge yourself and step outside your comfort zone! Let me know if you've done something that was scary at first (or if you plan to tackle something soon) in the comments!