Table for One

Now maybe I'm crazy but I'm always baffled when people gasp at the mere thought of my joys to travel solo. Not just travel as in jet setting off but something as "small" as the movies or dinner. Yes, it's just ME!!

I've always practiced my alone time. It's beyond "I am enough" but to know I don't need a plus one or more to move amongst the world is freeing because well-apparently, not many do it, lol. For something so normal to me gives society a side eye. Now make no mistake-I do have friends, lol. I enjoy spending time with different sets of friends. I have my influencer friends, day one friends, casual friends and best friends. While the s on the end of those may sound like I have a plethora of friends, lol, I do not and some of those s's intermingle in different categories haha.

After HS while the majority of my friends went off and away to college, me and my bestie stayed behind and got right into the working world. The times they'd come home and we club hopped didn't appeal to me much. I've never been the socialite and I'm already the oddball because I don't drink nor smoke. I was coined a homebody before it was a thing. Sunday's were my time of rest to reset before going back to work on Monday's. The highlight of my week IF I went out Saturday was enjoying my home and my space on Sunday. I had my first apartment at 20 going on 21 and while that sounds exciting to be from under your parents wings and on your own for me, it might read quite boring. I would lounge around all day, cleaned up here n there but mainly prepped to make Sunday dinner and let it slow cook all day while only watching Lifetime for the movies that played throughout the day. Don't let it be a good theme **anything of deception and crime** I'm locked in. I can even recall a beautiful Saturday where the weather was DIVINE and I had my balcony door open to enjoy the breeze, kitchen cleaned, carpet freshly vacuumed with some candles going. I was playing Vivian Green "Love Story" circa 2002 and I layed on the couch reading Sister Soulja's "The Coldest Winter Ever" and was just as content and enjoying my own little world. Rent paid, cable on yet the TV was OFF and I never felt like I was missing out on the outside world. So I guess...the liberation of being myself started at home-literally, lol.

I set that up to give more context becuz it was just the beginning. Fast forward from 2002 to 2006; I've since left DC gubment to dispatch for the fire dept which meant my schedule shifted to a 9 to 5 and was now shift work. Throughout that time, I had no choice but to do things by myself because while my friends was at work; I'm off. That is where my solo lunch dates began. I'd walk up to the hostess and they'd ask "how many?" and I'd proudly respond "just me" with a smile. By the time the waiter came they'd fill me up on water to assume I was waiting for someone to fill the chair across from me. Nope! Just me. I'd grow to do this in other places, movies, park and even social events.

I never had a problem showing up by myself. It's what crafted my infamous "Me Day" where in the Spring I have a refresh. I take off from work and spend the day with myself. I wake up without the interference of an alarm clock. I'm not a breakfast person but I linger around until I get dressed to head out to the mall. We are now in 2011 and Annapolis was my great escape. I'd get lost in Nordstrom and kick it with my girls at the MAC counter for makeovers and tips n tricks then slide nearby to the shoe department before making my way around the other stores in the mall. By the time I spoiled myself there, I'd treat myself to lunch at my FAVORITE restuarant; The Cheesecake Factory. My Me Days have since evolved to include Spa Days and shopping or either or. It's literally whatever I want for that day in the Spring to rejuvenate my well-being after Winter Blues. If you catch the flow...YOU have the ability to craft YOUR life as YOU see fit and that is the beauty of well...just me.

Now while earlier my me time would be local and near; it wasn't until 2015 (or was it 2014?) when I went to Mexico by MYSELF to get my sleeve. Solo travel was unheard of at this time and definitely not a thing. Yet here I am...on my way to a foreign land to take a chance on a doctor to lose weight, lol. Dmn I got some balls on me, eh?! Although movement was limited even that felt good because its something not a lot of people can fathom. Just me!

Now here we are in 2026 and even crafting this post, I am looking back in the day and reliving those tiny moments that led me here. Come to think of it-THIS is lowkey where my Sip Trips got cultivated. I had no clue solo anything would be a trend or that some people are still scared to do it. When people ask how I do it, I don't look at it as a task or challenge to overcome because I've naturally been doing it for long so I honestly can't recall ever hesitating to do it. I just do **shrugs**

A table for one allows me to honor myself and sit still in a way that lets me just BE and breathe. I affirm myself in these moments of peace and quiet with some reflection. It keeps me connected to myself and lets me realign in my thoughts n brainstorm ideas that swirl in creativity. Alone time teaches you a lot about yourself. I can't assume everyone has my personality and openess to small chats but you definitely gain some social skills in ways to navigate different personalities you encounter. I love people the same way I dislike 'em. I blame human behavior.

The world is spinning at a rapid pace it seems. The days go from Monday to Thursday in two blinks and we skip from Summer to Xmas decorations in 30 days. Crazy right. Did the pandemic not teach you anything? What are you in a rush for? We are moving fast to go nowhere. If spending time with yourself seems scary. Start small. You do it without even realizing it. That could be errand runs and grocery shopping. Do you do those by yourself? Sooo why you can't go to your favorite spot to eat and dine in? Catch a matinee? Visit your park where you go for a walk and chill on the bench to people watch.

Take life slower! It will teach you to move with intention. Your nervous system will thank you! I'm not in a rush for NOTHING. Even in traffic, I'm not mad because I've allotted myself the extra time to where hopefully I'm not late but I take it as a sign. Maybe the sea of break lights keeping me from harm. Maybe it's teaching me to just toss on the podcast I keep avoiding to learn something. There's silver lining in everything!

I don't know about chall but...I like myself and I'm a good dmn time whether with a group or solo. If you don't wanna hang with you, why would we? Let me know how you entertain yourself by way of solo dates and report back. I'd love to know-I'm not alone **pun intended** Tee-Hee!!