It’s not often that I’m at a loss for words, but I looked up at the waitress, just stared at her when she asked me if I was Foodie.
After a long pause, I said, well I like food but not sure if I qualify as a Foodie as I generally don’t eat 2/3 of any menu as I’m vegetarian.
I was kind of flattered. Really, me, the Foodie. Small town girl at heart and I only venture into the city . . . . for food. So right, that practically makes me a Foodie.
I mean, I will drive into Chicago just for that pastry. See photo below.
This past Friday, I had dinner at Taxim which is my favorite restaurant in the city. I ate by myself. By choice.
The last two times I’ve eaten out, I’ve texted different guy friends and said meet me for dinner, they came. Last minute, day of notice. They are platonic friends. I also have girlfriends that I can go out with. But sometimes I ask no one, I go out alone.
I feel that if you’re an adult, it’s a good skill to learn, the ability to be alone, that you can go out in public by yourself.
A lot of people need a crutch for social situations. Sometimes that crutch is alcohol, other times its never venturing anywhere without being with another person. If you can’t be alone, then you need a crutch, admit this to yourself.
Of course, it’s better to be with friends, more fun. But you should have the ability to dine alone, to go to places in public alone, to do things on your own. You’re an adult, that’s a skill that you should have. That’s the basics.
For myself, I’m not a natural extrovert. I do interact with others as part of my job, whether it’s my therapy or Life Coach clients, I’m sitting across from an individual or a couple, talking to them. I can’t hide behind a computer or isolate in a cubicle, I have to think in the moment and talk in tandem, that’s the work.
So for me, this past Friday, I had my clients for my Life Coach and I also recorded my first Men’s Roundtable on Casual Sex I didn’t have it in me, to converse more, not even to my friends. I texted no one, didn’t want to talk over dinner. I got in my car, drove to the Wicker Park neighborhood in Chicago solely for that pastry. I had dinner alone. Gossiped with the waitress. The deepest thought of the night was contemplating whether or not I was a Foodie simply for liking food.
Takeaways.
Learn how to dine alone. Know this skill, the ability to be by yourself.
Don’t limit yourself, if you want something, do it. Even if it’s alone.
Enjoy every moment, especially the ones you have with yourself.
I like people. But I’ve also taught myself how to be alone, that this is OK. Be your own man or woman, which means navigating social situations, even when alone. Nail down the basics. Have the ability to forego social crutches, if you have to or even if you want to. Called being an adult.
rhmaldonado.com
Photo: Pastry with leeks, dill, lemon and feta & Beans with carrots, celery and feta
Taxim is a neighborhood in Istabul, Turkey. I may have visited it when I was a kid, as my parents grew up there. So, this is probably a Turkish or Middle-Eastern restaurant?? Yum yum. Enjoy!!!
Pictures look good. How are you with seafood?🍤 sorry for your boyfriend that your a vegetarian.