Last week I had the best date ever… with myself.
I went into the solo date thinking I’d learn something to share with my audience for an everyday travel idea. Why not, right? Instead, I found my travel self–the me when I’m traveling and it was like meeting a missed friend after years apart.
As I sat at afternoon tea, I wrote my thoughts in my notebook until I realized I still loved writing. I loved my thoughts…and myself.
Solo Date
I’m sipping tea, sitting alone at a table for 2 and I don’t feel alone. With every sip, I feel my shoulders relax. Peace. While it’s 90 degrees Fahrenheit outside and I’m inside drinking tea, I feel pleasure even when I’m a bit past warm.
Each sip of tea is an adventure of leaves and regions with their own stories to tell. The Earl Grey is a creamy, smooth hug whispering everything would be okay…that I was special, perfectly made, wonderful…with a purpose bigger than I knew.
The Earl Grey is like being a child again in Newmarket—lights glowing during Christmas. Candy shoppes and new places to explore—where the only limits to having fun were curfews.
Each cup transports me to a place that feels like home.
And with each cup of tea, the caffeine wakes me up slowly. Not like the coffee jitters that can feel unwelcome but like a nudge, nudging one awake on a foggy morning, whispering a new day awaits.
Afterwards
My mom was supposed to join me for afternoon tea but had to head home so on a whim, I canceled her part of the reservation…but I didn’t cancel mine.
One of my favorite things to do EVER is have afternoon tea and it never occurred to me to go by myself!
For some reason, I find ALL these things I love doing and reserve them for when friends or family come to visit—but it’s like I wait for a visit before I decide to do things I love. Anyone else? Why do we wait for others to to do special things for ourselves? Why can’t we simply do things we love–whether others are present or absent? It had me wondering–why am I not enough to do something special for?
Because it turned out that being so overwhelmingly happy by myself turned out to be the most therapeutic and healing part of my week. As I sipped my (ahem–5 cups of tea), I wrote my thoughts in my notebook until I realized I still loved writing…my thoughts…and myself.
I had been missing my travel self–how I am–and how I feel when I travel. She never left me.
I highly highly highly recommend treating yourself to something you’ve been wanting to do! Taking care of yourself is occasion enough and honestly, it may the best part of your week.
Cheers to everyday solo adventures. For more tips and ideas for everyday adventures, click here.
