Written by Lexi Rodriguez

See that person over there? The one sitting all alone in a restaurant? Or the one waiting all alone in line for a concert? Probably a huge loser, right? Couldn’t find a single friend to go out with them, how lame. Make sure you avoid them so you don’t catch their loseritis. 

I am 100% proud to say that I am that person. I am that loser. I love it.

I couldn’t go to anything by myself for the longest time. I figured I’d not only look stupid, but I would feel uncomfortable, maybe even lost. I lived on campus my freshman year of college and had active friends, so I did a lot. Looking back though, it was only when someone would come get me or invite me out. I didn’t like going out by myself, but I didn’t like the rejection of no one being available to join me. I ended up in the Disney College Program in 2016 and for a while just sat in my tiny, nasty Disney apartment most of the time. I didn’t have friends to go out and enjoy Disneyworld with, and my roommates and I had differing schedules. About a month in, I realized there was an entire world of Disney I could go to for free that I was missing out on, so I would just go “pop in” to Magic Kingdom. Let me tell you, sitting on hub grass and riding the people mover alone is the most relaxing thing. No feeling like you have to entertain the people you’re with, no forced conversation, no arguing about where to go, just you and yourself enjoying the moment. I was sold. 

Of course, here in Kansas there’s no Disneyworld to enjoy, but I still brought that mindset back with me. University events, Greek life philanthropy, new movies in theatres, I’d do them all by myself. Eventually, when none of my friends could afford a ticket that month, I worked up the courage to go to a concert by myself. It started just as awkward as it sounds. I got in late because I didn’t want to stand in line by myself. I stood way in the back closer to the merch because being alone in a crowd was terrifying. I couldn’t even get into the music because I felt like everybody was watching me, judging me, trying not to catch my loseritis. 

Halfway through the concert (and with a bit of liquid courage) I got into that “screw it” mindset. Being alone, I got up into the crowd fairly easily. I still felt awkward just standing there, but I was near two girls that seemed fairly cool. One of them had the sickest tattoo. I finally got up the courage to just compliment her on her tattoo, and she didn’t stop talking about it. Like, ever. She’s been my best friend for a little over a year now and she’s still talking about it. But I can tell you that for the rest of the concert I was having the time of my life. We rocked out to the music, talked about life, danced a bit, took selfies, everything. I was instantly welcomed into the party with them. After the show, they walked back to my car with me so I wouldn’t be alone. Meeting these two girls made a world of a difference, and we even befriended a few others around us. Pushing myself to the very edge of my comfort bubble made popping later it seem not as severe, and helped my mental health in the long run since I don’t need somebody else to get me out of my bed anymore. 

If I hadn’t gone to the concert alone, no way would I have gone out of my way to compliment this girl’s tattoo. She has become one of my most supportive best friends, and I don’t know what I would do without her. That one concert gave me the courage to go to other concerts alone, and I feel more and more comfortable each time. I sometimes prefer going alone now, and have made friends and some business moves at each of them. 

It is okay to go to that movie, that restaurant, or that concert alone. Do not miss out on something you care about because others are busy. Even if you are uncomfortable at the time, it is worth it in the long run. You will regret missing that show, that midnight premier, or even that happy hour special. Do yourself a favor, put yourself first, and go enjoy that concert. 

Photos by Rickelle Tavares