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Bruce (Springsteen) performed at MetLife Stadium this previous weekend in New Jersey, about an hour’s drive from my residence. I’ve been an enormous fan of his for a very long time, however I’ve by no means seen him in live performance. There have been nonetheless tickets obtainable, but I held again. Why? As a result of I didn’t wish to go alone.
I’m a reasonably unbiased girl, a proud introvert who has lived alone since graduating from faculty. I really like dwelling alone and I admittedly want quite a lot of solo time to recharge my batteries from a demanding job as a licensed scientific social employee. I get pleasure from spending time with small teams of pals and likewise seeing my brother and his household, however I hesitate when leisure time entails giant crowds, resembling concert events and even motion pictures.
I don’t have social anxiousness and I usually marvel why I hesitate when it comes going to locations solo. I’ve eaten out alone — and I don;t simply imply for a slice of pizza, however sit-down eating places the place I used to be served by a waiter. It isn’t essentially the most snug state of affairs, however I convey a e-book with me; as lengthy I’ve one thing to distract me, I am high-quality.
If I had a burning need to see a film, I suppose I might go, however I’m not likely a film particular person. I don’t even subscribe to Netflix. Everyone seems to be telling me I’ve to go see Barbie—a few of my pals have seen it twice, particularly those that have gone with their daughters. I’m curious, however not sufficiently motivated to go alone.
A examine printed in The Journal of Shopper Analysis acknowledged that “customers usually really feel inhibited from partaking in hedonic actions alone, particularly when these actions are observable by others.” I don’t know if that concern of judgment is what prevents me; I understand that I’ll most certainly by no means see the individuals who is likely to be “observing” me in my alone state, so why ought to I care?
The identical examine states “customers appear to overestimate how a lot their enjoyment of those actions relies on whether or not they’re accompanied by a companion.” I believe that’s extra the problem for me. For some actions, resembling listening to favourite music at a live performance, I think about that there could be larger pleasure if it was a shared expertise.
This upcoming weekend I’ll be attending an artwork present on the gigantic Javits Middle in Manhattan middle with a buddy. Is that this one thing I might have accomplished alone? Most likely not; she invited me and it wouldn’t have occurred to me to go alone. I don’t learn about different locations within the nation, however in New York Metropolis many occasions are steadily attended by intrepid soloists. I’ve gone to quite a few in-person literary readings as a result of I really like the intimate setting and admire listening to authors learn their work. And I relish the chance to ask them questions as they’re sometimes fairly open and sometimes grasp round after the formal occasion chatting with the viewers.
Attending these literary occasions solo can also be an incredible likelihood for me to fulfill different writers. Jesse Singal, who wrote about this examine for New York magazine, quotes the authors, Ratner and Hamilton, as suggesting that, “whether or not or not issues of being seen as a loner are nicely based, solo-outing-phobia might contribute to a vicious cycle amongst those that actually do lack enough companionship.”
It may be laborious to muster up the braveness to show to a stranger who’s sitting subsequent to you and introduce your self, however when you’re attending an occasion the place there’s a shared curiosity, it opens the door to dialog.
One other live performance I wish to attend is Billy Joel at Madison Sq. Backyard. He has been taking part in his residency there for years and has introduced his final present will probably be in February 2024. I don’t wish to miss out, as this may be a once-in-a-lifetime alternative, however I stay hesitant.
Will my concern of lacking out be larger than my perceived discomfort? Keep tuned.
Thanks for studying.
Andrea
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