Credits: Social Media
I started going to the theatre on my own, it’s an easy way to help with social anxiety
An ode to the simple joy of going to the movie theatre on one’s own.
There comes a stage in every adult’s lifetime when you realize that no matter how busy you may be or how many friends you surround yourself with, you will, at some point, have to spend some time alone. And while it may take some getting used to, the act of doing things you would usually do as a group on your own, such as going to a movie theatre, can actually be a fun, valuable experience.
I started going to the movie theatre solo
Like most students my age, I am fortunate enough to enjoy a rather active social life in the company of a varied and supportive group of friends. And, while I wouldn’t describe myself as an overly anxious or awkward person, just a couple of years ago the thought of doing a solo trip to the big screen would have sounded alien to me.
It was only until last year, when I struggled to recruit friends to attend a special one-off midweek showing of Martin Scorsese’s iconic 1980 hit Raging Bull, that I realized I didn’t need any accompaniment – I could simply go on my own.
Armed with a bag of confectionary I did not purchase directly from the overpriced in-house store, I diverted the library (making for a rare change of pace for a Monday morning) and made my way to the box office.
Thankfully, the unnecessarily large pit of nerves in my stomach was not justified, and as I asked the attendant for a ticket I was not laughed or sneered at – nor was I banished to a special corner of the theatre they reserve for oddball freaks who go to the movies without any friends.
Rather, I was simply handed a ticket and told to enjoy the movie, which I did, in what would go on to become the first of many lone jaunts to my local theatre.
Why I love the solo cinema trip
Though I would probably pick to go with friends if given the option, the fact of the matter is that the actual act of taking in of a movie does not require any company.
Of course, it’s nice to talk about your thoughts on what you’ve just seen in the aftermath – but with so many ways to communicate with your friends and sites like Letterboxd providing the perfect platform for doing just that, it’s not as though you can’t easily fill your friends in on what you thought.
Ultimately, why should I miss out on something I want to see, just because other people aren’t able to, or don’t want to go along?
The only thing that irks me slightly on my solo theatre ventures is the thought of seeing people I know, and having to shuffle my feet as I explain that I’m there on my own. But even if that did happen, would anyone really care? And if so, why should I let that bother me?
Simply put – the answer is that this would be counterproductive. The entire point of the lone theatre trip is to avoid letting other people stop you from enjoying something you want to enjoy.
By pushing through my initial nerves I was able to make the theatre a place of comfort, and I feel all the better for it. Next time you want to see a movie but you know that life is busy and the timings are too awkward to make it work with your friends, don’t wait around. Try to push yourself out of your comfort zone – it’s better than missing out on what could be your new favorite movie.
The physiological benefit of the solo theatre trip
If you’re still skeptical about venturing to the movies on your own, don’t just take my word for it. According to a psychology expert, there are very real, mental benefits to the activity.
Speaking to psychology site Thriving Center, Dr. Tirrell De Gannes, a licensed psychologist in New York, explained why some people struggle to be on their own: “Some of the most common reasons are not being used to doing things alone. A belief that doing things on your own will be judged by others negatively, and an unspoken expectation that failure is inevitable if you do things without another person present.
But, as Gannes explains, there are benefits to spending time on your own: “There is a greater sense of self that comes when you do things on your own. More confidence, accepting of ones joys, limits, and passions.”
“You brush your teeth by yourself, you (usually) shower by yourself, and you do many things on your own. Acknowledge that. When youre ready, take yourself on the perfect date. Treat yourself how you wish others treated you.
