I have a lot of alone time. Working full time means, for me, three 12-hour shifts a week and then four days off. Those days don't always coincide with my husband's days off, so that means I'm doing a lot of things on my own. Now, I could choose to be a hermit and stay home on my days off, or I can choose to venture out into the world by myself. And thanks to modern technology, it's never been more normal to go out and about on my own.

Sometimes it's completely normal, almost expected, to be alone. Take coffee shops, for example. People are there by themselves all the time and no one takes a second glance because they are usually surrounded by a laptop, cell phone, and various books.

I used to think that 'take out' was invented for people who were alone. Then I saw a lady at Olive Garden, sitting in the restaurant, enjoying her dinner while reading a novel. She seemed to enjoy herself and that empowered me. The other day I went out to lunch. On my own. And I didn't order it to go. I plopped down at a table, pulled out my phone, and caught up on my blog-reading while downing my asiago bisque in a bread bowl. I didn't mind it one bit.

Even the things that used to be awkward as a loner are getting better. Like going to the movies. You sit there (checking Facebook on your phone), trying not to make eye contact with the other people who have dates with them, and once the lights dim, things are fine. I have to admit though, the one movie I saw on my own (Eat, Pray, Love), while matching the theme of venturing out on your own, was slightly disappointing and still would've been better if shared with a friend. I said being alone was getting more acceptable, I didn't say it was getting more enjoyable!

Moral of the story: with an electronic device, I'm never really 'alone.' I can be texting, posting, tweeting, or instagramming and it's suddenly okay to be alone. Now I just have to make sure my battery doesn't die.