An independent woman dining alone is an unstoppable force to be reckoned with, radiating sexuality, confidence and independence in every direction imaginable – you can tell who’s sitting next to her at any bar!
Making friends at venues dedicated to socializing solo may take longer, but it is possible with some preparation and mental fortitude.
1. Decide Where You’re Going
One of the key challenges associated with going out alone is feeling uneasy in your destination. If you find yourself at an event such as a concert, bar, or public place alone and feel anxious, it could be that others are judging your presence there without friends – something which can easily be remedied by changing where you’re headed.
If you visit an establishment where most people are in groups, finding some company will likely not be difficult. If you feel intimidated by a large lineup outside a club for instance, try approaching someone who looks safe to join the line – they will understand your need for security while helping ensure a smooth entry without drawing attention to yourself as being alone.
Once inside a club or other venue, be sure to remain movable by staying active and not staying still in one spot. Don’t draw attention to yourself by being out of place in terms of clothing. Additionally, it would be prudent to inform someone where and for how long you plan to be there – both as peace-of-mind measure as well as in case something goes amiss! This way they know where they can find you should anything happen to you!
Keep this in mind when out alone: when meeting new people, avoid providing too much personal data unless the source can vouch for them (like a waitress or bartender). Criminals take advantage of such situations to steal identities and other sensitive data from people who fail to protect themselves properly.
Setting yourself a goal for the evening can help build confidence about being out on your own. Aiming for something simple such as dinner and drinks with a friend can go far towards building up your comfort level when out alone. Planning can also prepare you for unexpected things that might happen; for example if attending live performances there may be periods without performances that require entertainment such as reading a book or iPod to keep busy while waiting in line etc.
2. Get Some Cash
Carrying cash when venturing out alone is always a smart move. Not only will this enable you to quickly purchase coffee or lunch on your way out, but also gives the impression that you aren’t afraid of going alone; some may take this as an indication that they should approach or avoid you, while most will simply find it refreshing that someone doesn’t shy away from being independent.
Use your extra cash to purchase drinks at the bar – this can help break down social barriers when going out alone, enabling you to try drinks that might otherwise be out of your price range and can provide an opportunity for exploration of something you wouldn’t normally drink. It will also make spending your own money feel less daunting since this gives you freedom in how you choose to spend it.
Joining a meet-up group can also be an effective way of getting past your fear of going out alone, giving you an opportunity to meet like-minded individuals who will welcome the chance to spend time with someone they don’t know as well – plus, you may make some lifelong friends along the way!
Assertiveness is key when meeting new people out and about; especially if you feel nervous or uncomfortable. Make sure to approach people you find interesting and state exactly what it is you seek from relationships if someone rejects you, don’t take their rejection personally; chances are, they just may not share your interest for developing such an intimate connection with another individual.
3. Go Alone
Even if you prefer staying home and binge watching Netflix all day long, it’s essential that women go out alone occasionally to relax, recharge, and meet new people. Unfortunately, many women struggle with being uncomfortable when going out alone; if this applies to you try easing into it by starting small – such as heading to the grocery store or bookstore alone at first before gradually increasing outings until eventually it becomes part of your routine.
As you’re out by yourself, it can be easy to become caught up in your thoughts and fear that everyone around you is judging you. But in reality, most people likely aren’t; they could be thinking about work or their love lives or something entirely unrelated – only pay attention to other people’s opinions if they threaten your safety.
One way to help lessen self-consciousness while you’re out is to limit phone use. This means leaving it at home or only using it when absolutely necessary (like booking a taxi ride or checking restaurant reviews). Setting down your phone also makes you seem more approachable as people won’t see it as being used as an interruption between interactions – like social media posts or texts from loved ones!
Be mindful that it may be easier for you to meet people if you have a compelling reason for being there, such as visiting for the first time or showing that you’re confident enough to go solo – both can help make conversation.
Finally, remember to have fun and don’t allow social anxiety to dampen your spirits. If you are enjoying yourself during your time out, it won’t matter whether other people find your behavior odd; those who care about you will appreciate your strength as an independent woman who doesn’t shy away from flying solo and asserting her independence.
4. Follow Through
No doubt going out alone can feel awkward at first, but once you can push through those initial awkwardnesses and stick with a plan for each outing you’ll find solo nights can actually be enjoyable experiences. The key lies in maintaining that plan.
If you’re going out to a bar or club, plan to arrive as soon as it opens to maximize the number of chances to meet people and create more of an atmosphere where you feel welcome and secure. And bring someone along just in case you find yourself feeling alone or overwhelmed!
Another effective tip for using your phone more effectively is limiting its usage. While it’s easy to get distracted by Instagram feeds or text messages from friends when out, restricting phone usage will keep you present in your setting and allow for the possibility of meeting more people. If you find yourself feeling particularly awkward or uncertain, taking some deep breaths and showing some self-compassion may go a long way in helping.
When speaking to strangers, don’t be intimidated to bring up that you are alone – this can serve as an icebreaker and will demonstrate that you don’t shy away from conversation.
Honesty is key when asking for or providing someone your number. If someone is trying to hit on you, be direct and don’t allow them drag out their conversation; if someone is hitting on you but you aren’t interested, politely tell them so and move along with life.
When you’re alone, it can be easy to feel jealous of people who appear to have plenty of fun on their own. It’s important to remember that social media feeds only portray a fraction of life; and even if your night out doesn’t go exactly how planned, taking risks to become more social could open up exciting new adventures! Don’t let fear stop you from living your best life; who knows; you might just find that enjoying nights out alone becomes so enjoyable that you want more!
