Table for one, please!
And make it fabulous
Who knew that putting all that effort into a meal, only to eat it alone, could actually be fun? Or that you actually don’t need someone else to share movie impressions with, or to sit next to in a dark theater. And let’s be honest…cooking, eating, and then cleaning up alone? That sounded more like a chore than a joy.
But as my relationship status shifted, so did my habits. I started going to movies alone. Cooking for one. And to my surprise, no one in the theater seemed to care that the seat next to me was empty. In fact, plenty of people were doing the same, content, peaceful, and present.
The same transformation happened in my kitchen. It became my playground, no longer dictated by anyone else's picky palate or dietary quirks. I didn’t have to remember who didn’t like fish bones, funky textures, or spicy sauces. I was free. The queen of my culinary domain.
That’s when the magic began. Miso paste met cruciferous veggies and simmered into savory soups. Ramen, soba, and udon noodles took turns dazzling my taste buds. Burgers were stacked high on warm Tuscan bread, then crowned with sautéed shiitakes bathed in tangy, spicy marinades.
It felt like the curtains had lifted on a one-woman cooking show, starring ME.
And when the “performance” was over, I’d sit down, sometimes tired but always satisfied, and savor every bite of my homemade masterpiece. Some meals were better than others, sure. But when they hit just right, I’d open a bottle of wine, pour it into the prettiest glass I owned, take a picture, laugh, and indulge like royalty.
And then I’d ask myself: was it worth all the effort? You’re damn right it was!
The only “but” that ever showed up was another flavor I’d try next time. But never did I say, “But it wasn’t worth it.”
You live once. You are one. And you deserve every bite, every sip, every little celebration, whether or not someone else is at the table.
Bon appétit, my friends!