Have you ever taken yourself on a date?
Not just a “my significant other is out for the night, let’s have pizza and watch Netflix” date. I mean a real Bachelor-style fantasy date night.
One where the only person you need to please and impress is yourself and you know exactly what will make your date (you) happy.
For me, my ideal fantasy date night is a night out at the ballet.
Ever since I moved to Sydney, three or four nights a year, I treat myself to a night at the ballet, just me, myself and I.
Don’t get me wrong, this is not because I’m at a loss for company. It’s not uncommon for people to be quite surprised that I go to the ballet by myself. People obviously see it as something that should be shared with a partner or a friend.
But for me, attending the ballet by myself is a choice I happily make.
I’ve danced my entire life and have a long and enduring love for ballet. This is not a passion shared by my significant other, or many of my friends.
But I don’t hold this against them. I’m not going to force them to spend money to sit through something they won’t enjoy.
I’m more than happy spend some quality time with myself, and it’s something I’ve come to very much enjoy.
It starts with a glass of bubbly. Frankly, it’s mandatory, and there is nothing better than sitting under the Sydney Opera House sails sipping on something fizzy and watching the world go by.
The Opera House is a magnet for all types and the people watching is fantastic.
There’s the tourists, of course, taking pictures of everything in sight. There’s young people kicking off their night at Opera Bar, sipping on beers and cocktails. Musicians rush past, dressed all in black, expertly picking a path through the crowd.
And then comes the main event. The ballet, courtesy of The Australian Ballet.
There’s nothing better than the anticipation as the house lights dim and the orchestra begins to play.
I’ve never been someone who worries about being in an audience by myself. What’s to worry about? You’re surrounded by people who don’t know or care who you’re with.
It’s a way to relax and revel in a little bit of luxury and culture for the evening.
And I love that I can make the evening everything I want, go at my own pace and take the opportunity to make it all about me, even if it’s just for the night.