It’s eleven at night on a Saturday. I’m in a hotel room by myself in Nashville, Tennessee where I flew for a medical conference. There are thousands of people at this conference, but I came alone without any family, friends, or even colleagues. It’s my first time in Nashville and I definitely feel the spirit of the city, the music spirit that is. There’s live music everywhere you turn, including at the local food hall and even in my hotel lobby. Music seems to be in the air you breathe here in Nashville.
There are so many things to do and see, but tonight, after a full day of lectures, I decided to come back to my hotel, work out in the gym, order take out, and relax in my room alone. Last night I did experience a bit of the city when I explored the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, learned all about the music history of the town during a very fun evening music tour with an incredibly talented singer/tour guide and fought the crowds grabbing dinner in the heart of town. I considered experiencing the Grand Ole Opry tonight, but that will have to wait until my next trip here, because tonight it’s just me, my journal, my thoughts and Hallmark-style movies on the television.
My evening may sound lame to some, but to this overworked, overscheduled, busy mom, it has been glorious.
I may be alone here in Nashville, but I’m certainly not lonely.
It’s not often that I can spend my day doing things I love such as learning and exploring without having to think about anyone else or what they want or need.
It’s not often that I have one hour to spare and decide that I want to go to a museum and not have to negotiate with four others on my entertainment choice.
It’s not often that I get a taste for a particular food and can just go eat it without considering everyone else’s preferences.
It’s not often I have a day or night where I don’t have to drive someone somewhere, but instead can hit a few buttons on my phone and have a driver waiting for me in a sweet Tesla only moments later.
It’s not often that I can get in a full work out in consecutive days.
It’s not often I can get over ten thousand steps in without walking my dog in the cold.
It’s not often I don’t have multiple people coming to me for this or that.
It’s not often I can hear myself think.
Don’t get me wrong. I am incredibly fortunate and grateful for my crazy, busy, full life and all the wonderful people and pets in it.
But it just isn’t that often that I can step away from that life for even just a moment and focus on me.
As my friendly and chatty Uber driver said to me, everybody needs to get away from home by themselves every now and then. It helps you clear your mind, have some space, and reconnect to those you love when you come back.
I wholeheartedly agree!
Maybe I’ll do it again sometime soon, but next time without the conference part.
I suggest you try it, too and let me know how it goes.
Have you ever gone away alone? How did it go?
