An Introvert's Survival Guide To Going Out Alone
Imagine: It's Friday and you're just hours away from clocking out of work and crossing the finish line into your weekend. There's an after-work social that you've been looking forward to attending all week with your bestie, but as soon as you press "Send" to your last email of the day, your girlfriend texts you letting you know that she's no longer feeling up to going. Bummed out by the last-minute change of plans, you're now faced with a decision: stay in for the night and pass on the event or ride solo?
Has this ever happened to you? As much as we love our friends, sometimes they're just not down for the count to partake in spontaneous – or planned - escapades. There's joy and power in assembling your squad to take on the night together, but don't think you have to miss out on an evening of fun just because you don't have anyone to accompany you. Attending the function by yourself may come off as an intimidating task, but allow me to assure you that it's nothing to shy away from.
Take it from me, I've learned a thing or two from not being confined to the leesh of friend's failed commitments. I've gone to music festivals like Afropunk and Broccoli City Fest, as well as mixers in New York City all by my lonesome, and I'm proud to report that, I indeed, survived.
Maybe your palms get all clammy at the mere thought of attending a densely populated social gathering alone, or you just have attachment issues and find security in the presence of people you know. Whatever the case may be, if the desire to gain experiences exceeds the fear to flee to your bed, then here are a few pointers to get you through the night:
Set your intentions.
Now that you've mustered up the courage to go through with your plans to attend that party/mixer/social solo, ask yourself: What do I want out of this? Leaving the house with a goal in mind can lessen the anxieties that may creep up when you're trying to find your place in a room full of strangers. It's like your own little secret that acts as a compass to guide you through the night. Do you want to meet some new people in your industry? Is there someone you've been hoping to "run into" that's going to be in attendance? Make a mental note of what your goals for the evening are and once you feel like you've crossed off list, you'll feel more confident about your presence.
Feeling handsy?
A lot of the awkwardness that comes from attending an event by yourself is not knowing what to do with yourself, literally. It brings up the age-old quandary: What do I do with my hand? Start by grabbing a drink: a cocktail, water, cranberry juice, it's up to you. Not only will it help calm your nerves, but it will make you look apart of the room and ready to engage and have a good time. I know you may feel the urge to grab your phone but looking down at your feed can make you come off as unengaged and preoccupied, like you'd rather be somewhere else but here. That's not the signal you want to send if you're hoping to meet new people. Take a few sips while you work the room until you find someone to engage with.
Talk that talk.
Now that you've spotted who you'd like to spend the next 20-30 minutes chatting with, what are you going to talk about? It may be easy to fall into conversational traps about the weather, but your time is precious and you don't want to waste it on dead-end small talk. Try leading with a compliment to break the ice and be genuine about it. Once they've opened up a bit, follow up by asking what they do or what brings them here. People love talking about themselves and love it even more when they feel like there someone who actually wants to listen. Just be sure to avoid touchy about politics, religion, and relationship status, this is charted territory for the uncomfortable and intrusive feelings to emerge. Remember that a conversation takes two willing participants, so be an active listener, give eye contact, and share the conversation.
Time to leave or take a breather?
If it's your first time attending an event by yourself, it's natural to feel overwhelmed throughout the night. After you've gotten a drink, worked the room, and survived a breezy conversation or two, you are more than welcome to take a moment to recharge and regroup with yourself. In these moments, find a place like the bathroom or balcony to determine how much "party" you have left in you. Have you met your goals for the night? Have you gotten at least a few new connections? If you feel like you have a few more minutes of mixing and mingling left in you, freshen yourself up and get back on the floor. But if you've given it all you have and checked off the tasks on your personal list, then it's just fine to end the evening a high note and retire in your victory.
Related Stories:
The Introverted Girl's Guide to Office Networking - Read More
12 Podcasts For Women Trying To Glow Up This Year - Read More
What The Ween Awards Taught Me About Connecting With Peers As An Introvert - Read More
Featured image by Getty Images
- The Introvert's Guide to Owning Any Social Situation | Greatist ›
- An Introvert's Guide to Networking ›
- Feeling Rough After an Event? You Might Have an 'Introvert Hangover' ›
- 6 Networking Event Tips For Quiet Introvert PhDs | Cheeky Scientist ... ›
- 5 Networking Tips for Introverts | HuffPost ›
- 15 Tips for Introverts Who Struggle at Networking Events ... ›
- How to Survive Work Events If You're an Introvert (Yes, Hiding in ... ›
- An Introvert's Guide to Networking ›
- How to Survive a Party or Social Gathering as an Introvert ›
Aley Arion is a writer and digital storyteller from the South, currently living in sunny Los Angeles. Her site, yagirlaley.com, serves as a digital diary to document personal essays, cultural commentary, and her insights into the Black Millennial experience. Follow her at @yagirlaley on all platforms!
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Rihanna Talks Shedding Expectations And Finding Balance As A Mother
Since becoming a mother in 2022, Rihanna has defined parenthood by her terms and hopes to pass that sense of autonomy on to her children.
For Vogue China’s April cover story, Rihanna shared her perspective on raising her two sons with A$AP Rocky, and how she hopes to preserve her children’s uniqueness, devoid of societal expectations.
"The most beautiful thing...is that [children] come into the world with their own individuality and sincerity, without any logic or conformity,” she told the publication. “Which usually makes you feel that you must fit into a certain group."
The “Work” artist, known for her trendsetting style and captivating persona, expressed her desire to support children in fully embracing their individuality and encouraging them to be whoever they want to be. "It's really beautiful to see and I want to continue to help them navigate that and make sure that they know they can be whoever they want to be,” she says.
She continues, “They should embrace it completely, because it's beautiful, and it's unique. I love them just that way."
From shattering music charts to shaking up the beauty industry, Rihanna has forged a path that has since created the “dream” life we see today. One that she says has made her parents proud of.
“I’m living my dream,” she continued. “My parents were very proud of that because they just wanted me to be happy and successful. So, I think the key thing is to find some kind of balance. Yes, balance is important. Do this and you get the best of both worlds. You can write your own life the way you want, and it will be beautiful. Sometimes, you just need to let go of everyone’s expectations and start living your own story.”
Rihanna, who shares sons, RZA, 23 months, and Riot, 8 months, with rapper A$AP Rocky, recently shared her vision for expanding her family in the future in Interview Magazine.
When stylist Mel Ottenberg asked about the number of additional children she hoped to have, Rihanna replied, "As many as God wants me to have.”
"I don't know what God wants, but I would go for more than two. I would try for my girl,” she adds. “But of course, if it's another boy, it's another boy."
Featured image by Neil MockfordWireImage