By Jill Roberts
In late 2019, my former husband and I ended a 20-year marriage. Since most of my adult life had been in committed relationships, for the first time in decades, I was experiencing life solo. In addition, my kids were growing into young adults, and required less attention, which further lended chance to rediscover what I wanted to BE, now that I was all grown up.
It was there, in full sunlight, unhindered by compromise, that I stripped away labels to reveal the woman, the girl had become. In retrospect, becoming single at 47, was one of the most prolific experiences in my journey to self-love. I was delightfully entertained by the whimsical freedom I discovered in my times of solitude. I didn’t change, I undressed; And in doing so, I fell in love with my inner spirit that revealed itself.
On March 15, 2020, I journaled…
”I had an amazing date with myself last night…lol. Seriously, the house was empty, and I used the evening to dance provocatively, create new outfits from my wardrobe, play guitar, and sing at the top of my lungs in the bathroom—the acoustics are fantastic! I thought about the evening several times today, and how much fun I had [with me].”
To playfully engage in solo activities that stretched the imagination, and inspired creativity, wasn’t something I previously gave myself permission to do. Yet, I discovered that to find delight in oneself, is to nurture self-love; And, the more I cultivated love from the inside, the more my overall capacity became to experience love from the outside.
It’s been two years since I made that journal entry, and I still enjoy hanging out with me as much now, as I did then, and the more joy I continue to discover in the people and world around me. It’s become important that in order to continually grow within an ever-expanding spiritual existence, that I continue to nourish inner peace and love.
Whether you’re single or attached, I highly recommend a date with yourself.
