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Bruce (Springsteen) performed at MetLife Stadium this previous weekend in New Jersey, about an hour’s drive from my dwelling. 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 accessible, but I held again. Why? As a result of I didn’t need to go alone.

I’m a reasonably unbiased girl, a proud introvert who has lived alone since graduating from faculty. I like dwelling alone and I admittedly want a whole 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 mates and likewise seeing my brother and his household, however I hesitate when leisure time includes massive crowds, akin to live shows and even films.

I don’t have social anxiousness and I typically 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 is not probably the most snug state of affairs, however I carry a e book with me; as lengthy I’ve one thing to distract me, I am positive.

If I had a burning need to see a film, I suppose I might go, however I’m probably not 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 mates have seen it twice, particularly those that have gone with their daughters. I’m curious, however not sufficiently motivated to go alone.

A examine revealed in The Journal of Shopper Analysis said that “customers typically 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 notice that I’ll probably by no means see the individuals who could 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 will depend on whether or not they’re accompanied by a companion.” I feel that’s extra the difficulty for me. For some actions, akin to listening to favourite music at a live performance, I think about that there could be better pleasure if it was a shared expertise.

This upcoming weekend I’ll be attending an artwork present on the gigantic Javits Heart in Manhattan heart with a pal. Is that this one thing I might have executed alone? In all probability 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 ceaselessly attended by intrepid soloists. I’ve gone to quite a few in-person literary readings as a result of I like the intimate setting and respect listening to authors learn their work. And I relish the chance to ask them questions as they’re usually fairly open and sometimes grasp round after the formal occasion chatting with the viewers.

Attending these literary occasions solo can also be a fantastic probability 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 considerations of being seen as a loner are effectively based, solo-outing-phobia might contribute to a vicious cycle amongst those that actually do lack enough companionship.”

It may be exhausting to muster up the braveness to show to a stranger who’s sitting subsequent to you and introduce your self, however for those who’re attending an occasion the place there’s a shared curiosity, it opens the door to dialog.

One other live performance I want to attend is Billy Joel at Madison Sq. Backyard. He has been enjoying his residency there for years and has introduced his final present will likely be in February 2024. I don’t need to miss out, as this might be a once-in-a-lifetime alternative, however I stay hesitant.

Will my concern of lacking out be better than my perceived discomfort? Keep tuned.

Thanks for studying.

Andrea