I did it! I did the most independent activity I could ever do for myself (besides going abroad). I went to a concert alone. You might be thinking, why? Is she crazy? Did she have a safety alarm with her? Or does she have any friends? The answer is yes to all the above, but I would argue I’m rather ‘adventurous’ instead of ‘crazy.’ This past Saturday night, I saw Maroon 5 live at TD Garden in Boston. I had been looking forward to this for three years. I would always get snubbed at the pre-sale, but not this time; I was beyond determined.
My friends were quite nervous, my parents were a tad anxious, but I was confident. Before I turn 20, there are a few things I want to do by myself; for instance, I saw Back to the Future in theatres by myself the other week (I had never seen it, and it felt like the perfect way to prepare for Stranger Things season five). Granted, my friends were in the other theatre, but that’s beside the point–it felt exhilarating and was pure fun.
I never thought I could be alone and not feel super self-conscious when I’m around other people, but doing that by myself was honestly very rewarding. It proved to me that I am more confident and extroverted than I realize.
Before the concert, I mapped everything out. I prescheduled my Uber to and from the venue. I packed my bag the night before and researched the venue and the surrounding streets so I would know where to exit and how to get to all of my meeting points. I was always on the phone with someone when I first entered each vehicle. And of course, I wore eyeliner and black boots so I was even taller than most of the population & so that I would have more of a RBF.
The concert was a 10/10. The opening act, Claire Rosinkranz, was so fun-she sang her iconic 2020 song Backyard Boy, and I swear I could envision the sparkle filter happening around me. Maroon 5 came out promptly at 9pm, and wow, what a show. I had been a fan of them for years (I mean, their songs literally made up most of the 2000s and 2010s), so it was very nostalgic. I had a blast dancing and singing the night away; I even made a few friends with the surrounding girls that were next to me. Overall, I suggest that everyone do something intentionally on their own. Concerts and movies are fun to watch with friends, but they can also be just as enjoyable by yourself!