Remember that resolution I made back in January to try something new every month this year? March has been the easiest month so far. That’s what happens when you plan a week-long trip to the opposite coast, I guess.
Before I went west, however, I knocked a new thing off the list at the beginning of this month: seeing a movie in theaters solo.
Going to a movie by yourself might be the best activity to do alone. It’s not as public as eating a meal in a restaurant, it’s dark, all you’re doing is sitting there watching a movie like you would do by yourself at home anyway – so why not just go see a movie you really want to see in theaters?
I chose Lady Bird, which by that point had been out for months, leaving me a little behind the game but also the pleasure of a mostly-empty theater. Apart from the initial awkwardness of buying a single ticket for myself, I didn’t feel too self-conscious.
Before heading in, I found a candy store and filled a plastic bag with miscellaneous gummies – turtles and peach rings and sour worms – then walked back to the theater, feeling adequately resourced.
If you haven’t seen Lady Bird, it’s definitely worth the hype. And it’s especially good without the added pressure of seeing if your seatmate liked the movie the same amount as you. And with gummy candy.
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Seeing that movie by myself was one of the last things I did before moving to Boston. The week I moved, I hadn’t even finished unpacking before I tried out another new thing: heading to the climbing gym by myself. (Yes, another solo activity. Tune in next month for my next escapade of avoiding people.)
My plan was to just do some bouldering for the afternoon, but Rock Spot Climbing had an auto-belaying system I had never seen before, which was awesome for a solo amateur climber like myself.
I climbed until my arms were sore and palms were sweaty à la Eminem, i.e., not for very long. But I took breaks when I wanted and sat and observed when I wanted and climbed wherever I wanted, and it was a nice change of pace. I’m happy hitting the gym with friends, though – sometimes you need some encouragement on the wall.
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Finally, California – a state I hadn’t visited since 7th grade but was super stoked 🤙 to road trip down the coast of with some friends.
I’d been to San Francisco and L.A. before, but San Diego arose new and unexplored; a visit to the sunny city was the last stop on our trip and the perfect final new thing to round out the month.
From the sea lions at La Jolla Cove (pronounced “La Holla” until our Lyft driver corrected us)…
To golden hour at Sunset Cliffs (where we witnessed a proposal!)…
San Diego blessed us with sunny skies and beautiful scenery. I’m a big advocate for solo adventures, but sometimes new things – and sunsets, and piña coladas, and long car rides – are best shared with friends.