Tonight I cooked dinner, as I do. Most nights anyway. It’s Friday. I had some wine and put on some music and made nothing fancy. Everyone dispersed and I was alone. Dinner was done, I know my people were waiting for it, but I wasn’t ready yet. I put it in the oven on warm. Sorry! Not done!
My plan was foiled when Brad phoned from upstairs.
“When is dinner?”
“Oh, well, it’s ready now”
“Cool. That was lucky”
“Yessss. Lucky indeed.” Lol
I don’t want any hurt feelings here. I love my family and I love spending time with them. I love my friends, I enjoy being with my people. But something else is true. Some people re-fuel by being around others, some people re-fuel being by themselves. I am the latter.
Jim, Jaime and I went on a weekend away last weekend. It was lovely and we had a great time. We took a float plane to Victoria. Our flight home landed downtown and Jim (who’s energy is recharged WITH people) said hey! Why don’t we go to Gastown for lunch at the Spaghetti Factory!
Jaime, who is 11 and bless her soul, said:
“You know Dad, this was fun but my family time battery needs to re-charge. I think we should just go home” lol
She is a wise and self-aware little lady.
I like being alone. I can spend a whole day all by myself and not be lonely. Those of us like that -we aren’t wrong. We aren’t weird. We enjoy ourselves and we need peace and space. And, at the same time, we love our people.
So if you see me sitting in a restaurant by myself, maybe I’m drinking wine (probably), I might be reading a book, I might just be staring into space. Just know: I am not alone, I’m just here, living my best life.
Kirsty, Unhinged 