I was reading O Magazine and there was a short section on Mariel Hemingway’s ‘Things I Know For Sure.’ Number two was about spending time alone – going to a movie, having something to eat out. This time is valuable, she says. I could not agree more.
Since I was a teenager I have valued my alone time. Going to movies by myself is one of the great pleasures in my life. Going for walks, just me and some music. Strolling around a bookstore. Taking a road trip. I love it.
I know a lot of people are scared of being alone in public places but I’ve never really figured out why. Being able to think, write, type, listen to your own music, read a book. It’s only awesome possibilities.
I have always appreciated my alone time, but certainly since I became a mother I’ve become more attached to it, since it’s rarer now.
Not that I don’t love my kid, and spending time with her and watching her.

But quiet has been hard to come by recently. Someone has inherited Daddy’s verbosity.
Some nights I just up and decide it’s a movie night, say goodnight and head out on my own. Some days I decide to take the dog out, just him and me. Some evenings I head down to my treadmill with my iPad and walk away while I’m watching some great TV. I relish it, my alone time.