The Importance of Being Solo...

This post was originally posted on a previous blog and reposted here. 

One of the most given excuses I hear from people of why they don't come to paint class is their fear of not having someone to go to class with them.  It is also a frequently asked question.  Does it matter if I come to class alone?  What if I don't have any friends that want to come paint with me?  Does anyone ever come to class alone?  The short answer:  YES!  Almost all of our regulars come alone, frequently.  People new to town come alone.  People traveling in the area come alone.  People that have been to class before and have seen others there alone, come alone. 


While the classes are about having fun, they aren't dependent on someone else being with you to have fun.  Also I have often seen the groups that come in and have the Debbie Downer with them.  She brings the negativity and the mood of the group down.  Leave Debbie Downer at home, and come enjoy yourself.  Interact with those around you, make new friends.  Or keep to yourself and trust your process. Many of my friends currently in my personal group of friends aka my "tribe" are painters I have met through Lush Art.  I didn't know them before they came to paint.  But my tribe can also repeat something I have said maybe a few too many times "This is why I vacation alone." 


Many of the business owners I have met to brainstorm and collaborate with have been met because I tried something on my own.  Rachel at Homegrown Yoga (Yoga, duh), Kelli at Lettered Grace (a great hand letterer who made our new logos for the businesses who I contacted through Instagram), Lindsey at Be Inspired (Reiki who I contacted through Instagram),  Montine at Paint Awake (Intuitive Art retreats), all the fabulous women I met at Inspired Retreat, Lori with Awareness Counceling, Donna at Donna Downey studios (where I go to take art classes)
to name a few.  Reach out, make a connection, but most importantly find yourself.  


I frequently do many things by myself.  I prefer to shop alone, I often take trips alone
, I don't plan self care with others (I don't coordinate massages, mani and pedis with others).  Does this mean I don't like others?  No, but when I am ready to relax and decompress I often need to do that alone.  I spend my life planning the fun of other people, so I have found to plan MY fun...  it means I often do it on my own.  


Have I always felt comfortable doing things alone?  nope.  But I am always glad I did it.  You know why?  Sometimes it is nice to have a time where the only person you have to worry about is you.  You are important.  Sure, often to get to that point I have had to make sure my family is taken care of, my businesses are left in good hands, etc.  But then when I go, I enjoy.  I read books, I go to retreats, I learn, I improve, I make goals and plans.  


So I challenge you to do something alone.  Take a trip, book a paint class, go to a coffee shop and read, go to yoga.  Pick something you have wanted to do, and the schedule of your friends or family always keeps you from going, and DO IT.  Have a drink, relax, and enjoy!  


You will learn so much about yourself, you will find that you are a good time charlie all on your own, that you get to enjoy whatever the experience is because you are doing YOU.   It isn't selfish (or weird).  It is important self care.   Keep learning, keep growing, keep being you.  

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