Last week, I attended an event solo that was a bit out of my comfort zone. Although I have solo traveled all across the Washington, DC area and even all the way to Ireland (here, here, and here), I still got a bit nervous about attending this event in-person, since it was a newer experience for me. I had always wanted to attend a DC Fashion Week event (an Insider’s Preview Party!), and despite being nervous to do so, I decided to attend this event solo and ended up having a GREAT time (and made some new connections, too!).
I am ALL about a good solo date. My best friend Shivani introduced me to the idea and I’ve been hooked ever since. I have seen several people in my network that I LOVE through my Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee) and my close friends start doing dates on their own, too. I LOVE a good solo date and recommend them to EVERYONE, regardless of if you’re single, taken, and/or have kids/pets. However, events can be a bit more daunting to attend solo, especially in a new-to-you environment.
Being transparent over here, I ended up not going to a National Gallery of Art event solo because I was 1- tired, and 2 – a bit nervous to attend a bigger event solo. Yes, you heard me right, I was terrified to attend an event solo, despite having traveled all the way to Ireland and back just 4 weeks prior. Events can be daunting to attend solo, especially when it involves socializing and networking with others in a different setting than you’re used to and with tons of different faces around. As opposed to travel and solo dates where you pass by several people in groups and solo alike, events promote social interaction more so and can be much more nerve-wracking than walking to a restaurant and getting a table and opening up a book/your phone as you dine or strolling through a museum or even navigating the streets of a city. Events require socializing more so than solo travel and solo dates.
At the DC Fashion Week Insider’s Preview Party, I got to network with fellow fashion enthusiasts and influencers, alike. I got to make some great connections whom I’ve since connected with on social media. To top it all off, I got to see a fashion show showcasing Washington, DC area-based designers’ designs to preview for the upcoming Spring 2025 season. The designs were BEAUTIFUL (!!!!), and, spoiler that purple, emerald, and royal blue will be the big colors moving forward in the upcoming year. Needless to say, I am SO glad that I went to this event, despite my nerves convincing me to stay home.
When we get out of our comfort zones, that is when we grow! None of us will grow when we get REALLY comfortable in our current surroundings and environment and never jump out there and get *a bit* uncomfortable. Usually, it feels great to get out of our comfort zones once we do and it’s extremely rewarding in the end. The bottom line: attend that event that you’ve always wanted to attend, *even* if you’re going solo. In fact, going solo is a GREAT motivating factor in going, getting out of your comfort zone, growing, and having a great time.
XOXO – Katie <3