Restaurant Collage

(Photo Courtesy: Restaurants.com)

 

In my twenties, I was a social butterfly. I surrounded myself with friends and rarely went out without them. Then in my thirties, I reverted back to the caterpillar stage.I spent time alone in my cocoon a.k.a. my couch. I sometimes passed on offers to hang out with friends, and instead hung out at home. I didn’t feel like I was missing out if I didn’t go out. If I missed a party, I didn’t think I missed my chance at meeting “the one”. At the time, I lived on a beach and spent hours on my balcony.  Being close to nature brought me closer to God. The waves crashed against the shore and created grooves in the sand and a deep sense of peace in my heart. I enjoyed spending time writing, reading, and getting to know a very important person–myself! I was changing, growing and maturing.

 

Recently, my dating life hit a dry spell–perhaps a bit by choice. I focused a lot of my energy on my family, my blog and my comfy couch. But I wasn’t lonely. Perhaps the time on an island made me more appreciative of “me time”. I recognize the importance of having happiness and wholeness in your own.  Here’s a week of ideas on how to make reservations for one.

 

Sunday: Spend time with God. Go to church, read the Bible, pray or meditate.

 

Monday: Get a jump-start on the workweek at a coffee shop. Grab a cup of joe from a barista who doesn’t work at a chain. People watch, read a magazine or write in your journal. Once at the office, organize your desk, clear out your inbox and check off your to-do list.

 

Tuesday: Go shopping. Buy something sexy for yourself, splurge on the latest trend or just try on something new.

 

Wednesday: Take a walk. Explore a local park or pound the pavement in your neighborhood. Stop at a florist and buy a dozen of roses or your favorite flowers.

 

Thursday: Go out to dinner at a restaurant that received rave review.

 

Friday: Have a drink. Check out happy hour or a local band. If you would rather stay in, rent a pay-per-view movie and pop popcorn

 

Saturday: Take a class! Paint a picture, cook a gourmet meal or learn to ballroom dance.

 

Hey DFTM Fam– Do you date yourself? Do you go out to dinner, movies or events alone?

About The Author

Vlog Mom/DFTM Creator

Not long ago, Heather Hopson hosted a television show in the Cayman Islands. Today, she's back home writing a different kind of story as a new mom. In her 15 years working as a professional journalist, this by far is her best assignment! Growing up, she dreamed of becoming Oprah Winfrey. She was the features editor for her school’s newspaper and a teen talk show host for her city’s most popular radio station. She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Michigan State University. After graduation, she worked as a television producer and reporter at CBS, NBC and Fox affiliates throughout the U.S. Instead of heading to Chicago to join Ms. Winfrey on her set, she bought a plane ticket to the Cayman Islands instead. She arrived five days before a category five hurricane! She lived in paradise for seven years, hosted an award-winning television show and traveled the globe with a government delegation. She also served on the board of directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters and spearheaded a Send a Kid to Camp campaign. Then, she relocated to Washington, D.C. to obtain a teaching certification and instruct 8th grade reading at a high needs middle school. She later returned to her hometown of Pittsburgh, PA to raise her daughter Caitlynn, now 4-years-old. During her 10-month-stint as a stay-at-home mom, Caitlynn inspired her to create this blog, and Diary of a First Time Mom was born on Mother’s Day 2012. Two years later, she expanded the family to include 20+ writers. Currently, Heather serves as the communications director at Allies for Children. In addition, she is the owner of Motor Mouth Multimedia, which ranked #49 in Startup Nation’s Home-Based 100 Competition sponsored by Discover Card and Sam’s Club. Recently, The Pittsburgh Foundation and The Heinz Endowments selected Heather to receive an Emerging Black Artist award to develop Diary of a First Time Mom.

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