Nobody puts Solo Woman in the corner

I saw a post on Instagram this week about eating alone at a table. Now this may seem a little over the top, and many will see it as something that comes easily to them, but for many people eating solo can be a real obstacle. They feel instantly watched and judged.

I remember feeling like this myself. I don't think it's so bad if you live in a city, there are many places to choose from and it's easier if you're anonymous. And as a solo person, I feel that many prefer to stay this way, left to do their own thing.

And it's not just restaurants or cafes. The workplace canteen carries its own particular weight. Nobody wants to look like the loner sitting alone with their lunch, so we eat at our desks, scroll our phones, or simply go without, anything to avoid that feeling of being visibly alone in a room full of people.

Over time it's confidence that helps you navigate these situations, to a point where you actually enjoy it, if not prefer it at times. I do think in western culture it's harder for women to do this, as there has always been the normality of men's community, going to the pub and generally being accepted to sit at a bar alone.

As the world has moved forward and women are moving up career ladders, living alone and thriving, there is still a quiet uneasiness for many.

And this is why we need community. To be vulnerable, discuss the things that are still taboo, and move us forward, whichever generation we come from. Because this isn't just a younger woman's experience, or an older woman's experience. It crosses generations, and yet somehow we rarely talk about it openly enough.