I used to think that doing things alone in public—like going to a restaurant, watching a movie, or even traveling—felt awkward.
But then I started noticing something.
The people who didn’t seem to mind doing things solo had a certain confidence about them. They weren’t worried about how they looked or what others thought. They just did their thing and enjoyed it.
And the more I paid attention, the more I realized they all shared some common traits.
If you’ve ever wondered how some people can be completely comfortable being alone in public, here are seven traits they tend to have in common.
1) They don’t rely on others for validation
Some people feel uncomfortable doing things alone because they worry about how they’ll be perceived.
But those who are perfectly fine being out in public by themselves don’t need external validation to feel good about their choices.
They don’t wait for someone else’s approval to go to that new café, see that movie, or take that trip. They do it simply because they want to.
Instead of looking around to see if anyone is judging them, they focus on their own experience—enjoying the moment without second-guessing themselves.
2) They enjoy their own company
I used to avoid eating at restaurants alone because I felt like everyone around me was silently wondering why I didn’t have company.
But one day, I decided to challenge that thought. I took myself out to lunch, brought a book, and just enjoyed the meal at my own pace.
To my surprise, no one cared. More importantly, I realized how nice it was to spend time with myself—no distractions, no need to fill the silence with conversation, just a peaceful moment to enjoy my food and my own thoughts.
People who don’t feel awkward doing things alone genuinely like their own company. They don’t see solitude as loneliness but as an opportunity to recharge and connect with themselves.
3) They’ve stopped assuming everyone is watching them
For a long time, I felt like walking into a café alone meant stepping under a spotlight. Like the second I sat down by myself, people would start whispering, wondering why I had no one with me.
But here’s the truth—no one cares.
Most people are too caught up in their own lives to even notice what you’re doing. They’re scrolling through their phones, lost in conversation, or thinking about their own problems.
The ones who are truly comfortable being alone in public understand this. They’ve stopped imagining that all eyes are on them because, in reality, nobody is paying that much attention.
4) They don’t let social norms dictate their choices
We’re so used to seeing people do things in pairs or groups that doing something alone can feel… out of place.
Dinner is supposed to be shared. Movies are meant to be watched with friends. Trips are more fun with company. At least, that’s what we’re told.
But people who are comfortable being alone in public don’t let these unspoken rules hold them back.
If they want to try a new restaurant, they go. If they feel like watching a movie, they buy the ticket. They don’t wait for someone else to join them just because that’s what’s “normal.”
5) They understand that solitude boosts creativity
Some of the greatest thinkers and artists in history spent a lot of time alone. Nikola Tesla, Virginia Woolf, and even Albert Einstein all valued solitude because they knew it sparked creativity.
People who are comfortable being alone in public get this. They use solo time to think, observe, and let their minds wander without distractions.
Instead of feeling awkward sitting alone at a café, they might be journaling, sketching, or simply soaking in their surroundings—because they know that some of the best ideas come when you’re by yourself.
6) They don’t judge others for being alone
If you’ve ever felt awkward doing something alone in public, chances are, you’ve also noticed someone else doing the same thing and thought nothing of it.
That’s because being alone isn’t weird—it’s just that we convince ourselves it is when it’s happening to us.
People who are comfortable being on their own understand this. They don’t assume someone sitting alone at a restaurant is lonely. They don’t pity the solo moviegoer or think twice about the person traveling by themselves.
They know that being alone doesn’t mean being unhappy—sometimes, it just means you’re choosing to enjoy life on your own terms.
7) They are secure in who they are
At the core of it all, people who don’t feel awkward doing things alone in public are simply comfortable with themselves.
They don’t need to be surrounded by others to feel valued. They don’t see solitude as something to be fixed. They know who they are, and that’s enough.
The bottom line
Spending time alone in public isn’t something to be feared or avoided. It’s a sign of self-assurance, independence, and a deep sense of comfort in your own skin.
It’s easy to assume that being alone must mean being lonely, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Some of the most fulfilled people embrace solitude not because they have to, but because they genuinely enjoy it.
If the thought of doing things alone makes you uneasy, start small. Grab a coffee by yourself. Take yourself out for lunch. Pay attention to how freeing it can feel when you stop worrying about what others might think.
Because at the end of the day, the only person you truly need to be comfortable with is yourself.
