TABLE FOR ONE, PLEASE

In a world obsessed with couplegoals, here’s why taking yourself out for a date might just be the ultimate love story

- SAKSHI MEHTA

Forget candles, roses, and a night out with your significant other – solo dating is where it’s all at. Whether it’s a table for one at a chic new restaurant or a movie night with no one to hog the popcorn, people are embracing the joy of being their own best company. But let’s be clear: Solo dating is more than just awkward selfies or making peace with the weird looks from couples. It’s about learning to love your own company and rewiring the mind not to associate “alone” with “lonely”.

Sure, it’s not easy at first. Society has spent eons convincing us that we need other people to have a good time – cue every rom-com ever. But as Vedika Sukhatme, a Psychologist with an MSc in Clinical Health psychology, explains, “Intentional solo time reduces stress and anxiety by encouraging mindfulness and giving individuals the space to recharge.”

But one of the biggest barriers to solo dating is the perception that doing things alone means you’re lonely. Blame society for making us think that solitude is only for grumpy old hermits. Psychologist, Dr. Alisha Lalljee, clears this up, “Many people associate being alone with loneliness because they imagine it as sitting by yourself, dim lights and sad music. But being alone doesn’t have to mean being miserable – it’s about learning to study yourself.”