I love to eat at restaurants alone. I love the power it bestows me; I can eat whatever I want, how quickly I want, and how much I want. I love that I can choose the sauces I want, the way it’s cooked, and the choice to add or take away certain things. Now, this does not mean that I despise eating with people; on the contrary, I love eating with my loved ones. However, there are days when I am sitting by myself at my favorite spot to eat and I must learn to fulfill myself while eating alone. 

Whenever I go out to eat with my parents, they always choose the dishes and the mains, and I sit there, without any input. I suppose I should be grateful that they are making choices so that I don’t have to, however, sometimes I leave feeling a little unsatisfied. I would never tell them that I was feeling unsatisfied, it would be too imposing on them. When I go out with my friends, I worry that they will judge me for what I eat. I know that they wouldn’t, but the little voice says that I should eat what they deem acceptable for me. So now I prefer to go out to eat alone, even if I miss the company of my friends and family. Sometimes I worry that I will garner weird looks for walking in just by myself, and I still worry when I go by myself. However, this isn’t about feeling comfortable about how strangers will think about me; it’s about finding your own peace in your heart. If you are never comfortable with yourself, then you will never be comfortable around others. It is okay to do things by yourself because you are your only true lifetime companion. I learned to appreciate my own autonomy when I do things by myself, and that is only a piece of how I am slowly learning to feel comfortable with being only with me. So learn to appreciate yourselves, learn more about yourselves, and start eating in restaurants alone. 

04/14/2025