"Is Being Single Lonely?"—An Around-50 Perspective on the Evolution of "Solo Activities"

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Last month, I wrote about a woman who married an AI.

I found myself thinking about this topic from various angles. There were three points in particular that left me feeling uneasy.

After writing about ① and ②, there was a bit of a gap, but—
this time I would like to write about "③The "solo" way of life."

"Solo" = A lonely life!?

Until not too long ago, I feel like being "solo" was often thought of as beinga pitiful person who couldn't get married.

It's an image where people think "they are alone because they have flaws" rather than "they chose that way of life." I myself have been "solo" for a long time. There were times when I felt uneasy, thinking that this is how I was being viewed.

There used to be such prejudices, didn't there? But when you think about it, time alone is surprisingly comfortable. I think there are many people who intentionally create that time and enjoy it.

The "secret base" I longed for

I spent my childhood living in a very Showa-era Japanese house. I loved spending time hiding in the closet.

I could have just read in my room, but I didn't.
I went out of my way to use an extension cord to bring in a desk lamp just to read manga.

Nowadays, people might call that being a “loner” (laughs).
In those days, when children rarely had their own rooms, a “secret base” was a special kind of longing, wasn't it?

Even now, I use empty space in my house like a small study.
I block out the noise with earphones and listen to my favorite music.
I lose myself in a book at a cozy cafe.

All of these are moments where I can fully immerse myself in my own world.

It might be an exaggeration to say I'm the only person in the world—
but spending time in a place that is all my own fills my heart.

It was during the COVID-19 pandemic that the number of places where you could spend time like this increased all at once.

Back then, of course, there was anxiety, frustration, and hardship.
But for someone like me who was already used to doing things alone, the increase in services for “solo” individuals was a welcome change.

In the countryside, it was taken for granted that everyone did things together, and there were almost no shops catering to “solo” customers, like solo karaoke or solo yakiniku.
I had always been envious that such places existed in the city.

We live in an era where you can even “get married” through solo activities

Now is an era where you can fully enjoy solo activities.
Going to the movies alone, reading in a cafe, going to a concert.
Values and services have become much freer than they used to be.

This was supposed to be about “marrying AI,” so what is this about?

You might be thinking that.
The reason I've been talking so much about “solo” activities is...
Actually, I thought that the fact that you can marry AI is also because the range of solo activities has expanded.

I first learned about it from online news about a woman who married an AI.
There are wedding venues in the world where you can hold a wedding ceremony with a 2D character, and services that can create wedding photos.

—I see, I thought.

If you want to marry a fictional existence like a 2D character or an AI,
and there is a service that can make it happen, then it is a “dream you can achieve.”

I can imagine that saving up money for that, and being busy with planning and preparation, must have been a very fun time.

Supporting your favorite character is the same.
Spending time and money to pursue enjoyment.
That is one very fulfilling lifestyle, isn't it?

It's not “lonely” or “pitiful” at all.
And it doesn't mean there's a problem with communicating with others.

I also travel alone, so I have experience with this.
When you are acting “solo,” if something troublesome happens while traveling, you have to deal with it all by yourself.
Asking shop staff or discussing service arrangements is all up to you.

There aren't many situations where you can train your communication skills this much, are there?

That's why they say people who engage in solo activities are not "socially awkward," but rather "socially adept."

If you reach out your hand, it's right there

A while ago on social media, the opinion that "it's gross for middle-aged women to go to concerts alone" became a hot topic.

I feel like this is similar to the sentiment of thinking "marrying an AI is impossible" or "people who are 'solo' are pathetic."
I also think that if I'm not careful, I might harbor these feelings and even go so far as to post them.

I also often go to concerts alone, so this post made me sad.
But I was saved by the positive comments on that post.

"I go alone too."
"It's wonderful and cool that you can enjoy being a fan even at that age."

—Exactly.

There are no age or form restrictions on enjoying things, right?

When I played a positive song on my earphones, I felt like I could reach out my hand to "that place" too.

Now is an era where it's okay to enjoy the pleasures of life.
Conversely, it's also an era where it's okay to honestly express the difficulties of living.

Therefore, solo activities, being a fan, and even marrying an AI are not just strange behaviors, but one of the life styles chosen by valuing one's own feelings.

Since the world has finally caught up to those feelings—
Let's also take it easy and look for our own ways to have fun.

👇 Days pushed forward by being a fan