dianareads

I think you’ll be surprised at how many people will ask you what you are reading. That is what happens to me at bars.

Ooh, good point! I’ll choose my books wisely…

Thanks also to lobsterhug and thepointedword for telling me to just do it! I will be sure to let you know when I go hang out in a bar by myself. I’ll bring a book for moral support.

distantheartbeats asked: It's such a dumb social construct that we can't go out alone. I took an entire trip abroad by myself to prove that this was a dumbass rule and I still had an awesome time, in a country where practically no one spoke the languages I did. Yesterday, I took a long walk from my apartment, through the entire length of Hyde Park, through Oxford St (stopped and did some shopping), down to Piccadilly (popped into a few bookstores) and had dinner by myself at a restaurant. It was a LOVELY day.

Thank you! I actually have no problem sitting in coffeeshops or shopping alone, but I would love to work up the courage to have dinner at a real sit-down restaurant. You inspire me.

Being alone

Two weeks ago my boyfriend flew to San Francisco for a job interview. I drove him to JFK before dawn, kissed him goodbye, and continued on to work, expecting to pick him up four days later. Then he got the job and decided to stay out there.

Until now we’d only had about three weeks apart in three and a half years of living together, so this is an adjustment. My new job is keeping me busy and tired, though, so I haven’t been feeling lonely. (What I have been doing is eating way too much ice cream and way too many cookies.)

I’m very good at being alone — I love being alone — but I’m no good at being alone in public. I tense up; I am suspicious of every person I pass on the street; I feel awkward entering rooms, ordering meals, waiting for a friend at a bar. This is silly and I want to get over it. I want to do things alone and not feel like I have to apologize for being alone. Sometimes I WANT to be alone! Why should I invite friends every time I’m craving Thai food or a cocktail? Why can’t I sit in a bar and read a book? Tumblr says: “Let people answer this.” Okay, then. People, please answer this: why can’t I sit in a bar alone and read a book?