I Took Myself to Wendy’s—and Remembered Why My Own Company Matters

The Loss of Self-Treat and Time

One evening, I was at home and felt as though I needed to get out and do something to lift my spirits. Not because I had grown bored of my own company—on the contrary, I am probably one of the best people I know to hang out with, and I quite enjoy engaging myself with myself.

Yes, we are social beings, who are meant to socialize with and enjoy the company of others. But I think we sometimes take that truth too far and slowly lose our appreciation of self by hinging too much of our happiness on the validation, approval or company of others.

Ask yourself this: would going to the movies alone feel strange? Would sitting in a restaurant entirely by yourself seem sad? For many of us, the answer would probably be yes—not because there is anything wrong with being alone, but because society has quietly taught us that certain experiences are somehow incomplete without company.

And somewhere along the way, that thinking can chip away at an important part of self-care, self-love and simply enjoying your own presence.

Self-Care Does Not Have to Be Expensive

So, yeah, I wanted to do something simple, inexpensive and still a little special for myself. Naturally, me, myself and I decided to take a trip to Wendy’s for a quiet analog night.

Instead of using the drive-through, I decided to walk inside since I had never actually seen the interior before. The most impressive feature awaiting me was, of course, the wonderfully long line. Yes, here in Jamaica we have perfected the fine art of standing in long lines.

Still, I waited. Eventually, I ordered my Biggie Bag with some extra nuggets and headed back to the car. There, away from the noise and movement of the day, I settled into the quietude of the still night, gazed at the velvet sky and watched the stars looking back down at me while I enjoyed my meal.

Even the burger surprised me. It tasted a little different from the usual fast-food experience and had a strangely homely, comforting quality about it. Nothing extravagant had happened. I had simply bought myself dinner, sat beneath the night sky and enjoyed being present in my own company—and somehow, that was enough.

Be Good to You

Now, am I saying you should spend your entire life shutting everyone else out and loving only yourself? Absolutely not. That would be narcissism at its finest, and the joys of friendship, love and companionship would pass you by.

What I am saying is that, from my observations, self-love seems to have flown past far too many of us because we feel awkward or even silly doing enjoyable things alone. And that, my friends, is a flight we all need to catch.

Being good to yourself does not require an expensive vacation, a luxury restaurant or some grand act of self-indulgence. Sometimes it is simply buying yourself a meal, putting the world on mute for a little while and enjoying the person who has been travelling with you through every chapter of your life.

So every now and then, look yourself in the mirror and say:

“Hey, you tall glass of fine wine—let me take you out. Just the two of us.”