Feeling Nervous About Watching a Movie Alone in Theatres? You're Not the Only One

I have never watched a movie by myself at the theatre…

Something which is on my bucket list which I have never done is watching a movie by myself. Although I have a higher preference for watching dramas, I still love watching movies.

My main problem is that a lot of the movies I want to watch are children’s movies or fantasy movies. I am not a fan of serious adult movies, horror, or movies which feel real. Rather, I want to be sucked into an imaginary happy world of innocence and laughter. Because of my love for children’s movies, my adult friends are not very interested in joining me. Even my brother showed high levels of disappointment when I asked him to watch ‘Dog Man’ with me.

Another main barrier is my buddy, social anxiety. There are some things I can and cannot do in public. Shopping is something I can easily do by myself. It doesn’t affect me to wander aimlessly around a clothing store or the supermarket by myself. However, the idea of watching a movie by myself or going to a café or restaurant alone terrifies me. I guess my worries narrow down to what others would think about me being alone. Or how I would look like a complete loner.

Interestingly, I was talking to someone recently about this and we mentioned the initial fear of going somewhere by yourself. But honestly, no one but yourself pays attention. Everyone is so engrossed in their own worlds, that they simply don’t care. So even if we were to be sitting by ourselves in a busy packed café, no one would care.

When you think about it, the movie theatre is dark anyway. Noone will notice anything anyway. Whenever I go to the movies with my family, I cannot tell who is sitting where and who is alone. I have honestly never noticed others because my focus is on my family and on the movie.

So, eventually, I will watch a movie by myself. Will keep you all updated.

Written with sincerity,

Me.