That Time I Attended a Maroon 5 Concert by Myself: #DatingMe
Me, and a few thousand of my closest friends dispersing from our night of a lifetime.
Adam. <3
I truly believe that we should be comfortable being alone with our own presence. We should be able to publicly if not, privately, enjoy time with ourselves. I believe that there comes a point in or life that we truly must master “dating ourselves.”
I’ve always been a relatively independent person. I take myself out to eat, I attend the theater alone, I see shows by myself, I go on walks, participate in happy hours, frequent conferences, and attend events as a party of one. I wine and dine myself quite often, but I never feel alone. In a world where we are so concerned about the public perception, and digital gratification, we may forget about our personal satisfaction. (Just last night I took myself on a long walk and went to the carnival! I treated myself to fresh funnel cake- The first time I had it in years!)
In my life (my former life, as I sometimes say), there were many opportunities that I passed up because I didn’t have “anyone to go with.” What that meant was either no one was available, or no one could find it within themselves to do something that may not have been on the top of their life list, but would clearly provide me copious enjoyment and we could share in that memory together. Nope. I was trapped in the mental state that specific public outings had to be enjoyed as a party of two or more. False. That’s not true.
I told myself, “F NO ONE. I AM SOMEONE.” We’re always looking for “someone,” but we are someone. It’s imperative to remind ourselves that we have to be that somebody, before we need somebody. If I want to do something, I will do it. And the regret I had over those missed opportunities still has not past, but the power I feel to never have that resentment again reminds me of the importance of my independence.
Ask yourself: What are you so afraid of?
Around this time last year, I very excitedly took myself to go see Maroon 5. I was pumped. It had been on my calendar for a while. I purchased the ticket at the box office, I took myself to a nice little happy hour at Clyde’s, right outside of the arena, and waited until 7:00 P.M. to make my way inside for the opener. I had the best time, oh my gosh. It was crazy because up until that evening, I truly did not realize what a big Maroon 5 fan I am. I knew the words to every single song.
I was a little disappointed, however, that we didn’t hear much of their latest album, Red Pill Blues, because that was my album of the summer and then-anthem to my life. However, it was nice to have a blast from the past with all of their hits.
At first, I felt a little uncomfortable because I was one of the very few people of color, and on top of that, I was alone… but the crazy part was, all the other women of color that I saw in the arena were also by themselves! After I received and gave a few smiles after my ticket was checked, I was much more at ease. I found my seats, and made myself comfortable in my pretty secluded area next to the ADA accessible row, where I would soon meet my partner in crime for the night.
Her name was Chandler. She was a spirited, older young woman who had experienced over 100 concerts in her day. She had already seen Maroon 5 three times, and she raddled off a laundry list of upcoming shows she had her eyes on. She was everything I wanted to be, and more! She and I spent the rest of the night rocking on to the very handsome, Adam Levine, and singing every high note at the top our lungs. At the end of the night I made sure she received her ride safely, and I walked a few more blocks before calling my own car.
You see, had I not ventured on my own to attend my first concert alone, I would not have met such a beautiful soul who also, at her age, still attends concerts whenever, however, and where ever she wants, by herself. She made her own rules, and that’s what I loved. She still had to check in with her son, and make sure he scheduled her ride properly, but those are my future aspirations. Lol.
My children better send a car, if not themselves!
Being alone does not mean you are alone. I date myself without pause. I give myself the grace of knowing that with God, I am never alone. I am a woman of the world. This is just my playground.