I'm glad I finally conjured the courage to whip out my free Regal Cinemas movie pass, which was fossilizing in my wallet, because despite my inner shame and initial embarrassment, it was an empowering experience.
1. There was a plethora of seats to choose from. Let's face it, single movie-goers have the pick of the litter; there are always enough seats for parties of that magic number (Three is not the magic number, so you can just take that 'School House Rock' education and throw it out the window). There were no seating limitations due to the size of my group, one!
2. I didn't have to compromise where I wanted to sit for anyone. I had a sense of independence I had never felt because I realized something about myself - Darn it! I like sitting in the last row!
3. I spent my money on myself ($8.50 to be exact), although not rare, it's empowering nonetheless!
4. I had the luxury to choose if I was going to high tail it home OR to linger and enjoy the breezy night. Either way I didn't have to wait for anyone; I was on my own time, and I loved it!!
I used to pity the one who entered a movie theater unaccompanied and dateless, but after my full conversion tonight, I see that solo movie-watchers should not be pitied, but rather, esteemed..... for laughing out loud even when we don't have a "boo" to nudge on the funny parts.... for sitting next to strangers.... and for taking a stand (or seat) and showing others that being alone doesn't make you lonely.
The real value from tonight was learning to enjoy myself..... BY MYSELF!!! As much as I want (and think I need) a companion to buy my movie tickets and popcorn (and more importantly, refill that popcorn) no one else will enjoy me, if I can't enjoy me. After all, I have to live with myself for the rest of my life; no one else does.
5 comments:
FABULOUS post! Keep writing, I look forward to
"4".
When you have company in a movie theatre... they like to talk, and then you miss something important and then you argue about missing that important thing and miss something else, and the chain never ends.
ARIN, UR SO TALENTED! U HAVE TRULY MASTERED THE ART OF CREATING AN ATMOSPHERE WITH UR WORDS! I WAS N THE MOVIES WITH U!!! KEEP IT UP BABE! U ROCK!
Love your blog Arin! I'm a big fan of going to the movies alone. The best part is, you don't have to worry about someone else's grubby hands swooping in to steal some of your popcorn.
(I have fond memories of going to the movies with your mom, and the rest our posse. You know, back in the old days when all the movies were silent and we had to get to the theater in a covered wagon.)
Being single and doing things alone provides alot of time for soul-searching and solitude. Singleness is great for solitude. I went to see the movie Elizabeth alone and it was pretty good. I'm an introvert so I have an easy time being alone and just kicking it. what's most interesting to me about this blog is, being alone does not equal lonely. I find the opposite is true, as well, being with someone doesn't equal not being lonely. I have known some people who have been married and lonely, and that is a great travesty. On the other hand, its a great delight to be single and not lonely. Dan Dehaan, spoke about the bliss of singleness. Random: Edgar allen poe is the man! "to helen" is the best poem I've read this side of sanity....
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