Recently I experienced a delicious breakfast date with myself. I was feeling so complete in my own company. My husband and I were enjoying some time near a beach at a resort in Fiji and that morning I was not ready to eat before he set off for an early game of golf. I decided that eating later would suit me better.
It was lovely and confirming to feel the security, presence and confidence I had around being on my own but not feeling at all lonely. I had an enormous appreciation for how content I felt – and now feel – in myself.
An honouring morning:
- I lay in bed enjoying just being with me until I felt it was time for me to get up – without feeling the need to go into any form of overdrive
- I did what I wanted to do and honoured how I felt. I enjoyed time on the verandah working on my computer and drinking herbal tea
- Mid-morning when I started to feel hungry, I decided to get dressed in a beautiful dress. I did my hair in a way I wanted to wear it, rather than in the most pristine way to look my best; I went for comfort and how I felt and this was empowering in itself
- I walked to the restaurant feeling glorious and excited that I was having some quality time on my own, that I could Be as I am, even in a restaurant full of people
- I waited patiently in line to be served and escorted to my table for one. This was also empowering and lovely to feel how comfortable I felt to walk through the restaurant to my table
- I was escorted to what I think is the best table in the restaurant on the most perfect morning. The table was positioned at the edge of the restaurant, away from the hustle and bustle of people rushing to get their breakfast plate topped up and it was closest to the beautiful scenery of the beach
- I felt blessed and lucky and so appreciative.
My breakfast dining experience – breakfast was great! I ordered an egg white omelette with tomato and had some stir fry cabbage on the side with a little pawpaw and a pot of peppermint tea.
I paid extra attention not only to my meal but how I sat, how I ate and how I drank and all of this was extremely confirming of my connection, presence and stillness.
Each bite of food felt like a warm, soft, delicious kiss and I allowed myself to feel how tenderly I can eat, place food in my mouth and pour and drink my tea. I gave myself space between my bites and savoured the flavour of the food.
Looking back to a similar experience eight years ago, I would have felt:
- uncomfortable to be on my own
- self-conscious about others looking at me
- lonely
- too worried about the situation to even enjoy me
- not connected with myself or
- a lack of presence or tenderness during my dining experience.
That day I felt nothing but my deliciousness and tenderness in expression at a breakfast date with myself. I was completely enjoying my own company, the beautiful scenery and the gift of feeling content with it all.
Inspired by the work of Serge Benhayon and the support of the Practitioners and Student Body of Universal Medicine.
By Johanna Smith, Bachelor of Education, Perth WA
Further Reading:
Yearly Holidays – No Longer Taking a Break from Life, but Enjoying Me!
Today I Sat Down – Nurturing Myself as a Woman
The Greatest Love is Within Me
619 Comments
Love it Johanna, and could it be being involved in healthy eating makes all the difference when it come to being sick from colds and flu?
When we approach every life situation as an opportunity to go deeper, we always find ourselves in the way and this is deliciously empowering.
Reading this and reflecting on how I have breakfast it shows that it’s not what your doing but the quality your in that makes all the difference.
When and what to eat comes with an energy that can be filled with our dedication to re-connect to our Soul and when we have listened, we are able to enjoy the most exquisite cuisine and the company can play a part but is not imperative.
Confidence in knowing and feeling the essence of who you are is to be aware of an inner stillness.
Once our reconnection is made to our essence, to our innermost heart, there is such a beautiful sense of loveliness within ourselves, it is so enjoyable and not dictated to by the circumstances around us.
“I paid extra attention not only to my meal but how I sat, how I ate and how I drank and all of this was extremely confirming of my connection, presence and stillness.” When we stay present in all we do it transforms any interaction, whether we are alone or with others.
How often do we take the care, love and support for ourselves that we may do if others were with us – as for example in eating out alone? I used to feel ‘less than’ when eating alone, but nowadays I enjoy the experience – being with me in my fullness.
Letting go of what we think other people will think is the freedom to be ourselves.
Lovely to read of your delicious breakfast date with yourself, ‘That day I felt nothing but my deliciousness and tenderness in expression at a breakfast date with myself. I was completely enjoying my own company, the beautiful scenery and the gift of feeling content with it all.’
I LOVE dates with myself, I actually find myself amazing company – and I think it’s a great way to begin to appreciate yourself and discover who you really are.
It does feel totally amazing when we really do what we feel like doing, and what our body is feeling like doing: when we’re living in sync with our bodies, there is a natural ease and flow to life and we feel vital and alive.
The more you enjoy being in your own presence the more of that joy you bring to others.
Gorgeous Joshua – and so true.
I can easily relate to how the idea of eating alone would have felt to you ‘eight years ago’ as this is exactly how I would have felt. I could even feel the old uncomfortableness when I considered the idea. So, it appears that what has unfolded for you over this time has made such a huge difference in the way you live, so you can now dine alone and still have a most delicious experience, both figuratively and literally.
Thank you for sharing the deliciousness of being in your own company.
I so loved reading this again, so confirming of the gorgeousness of being in love with our amazing being, so complete in itself. I paid extra attention not only to my meal but how I sat, how I ate and how I drank and all of this was extremely confirming of my connection, presence and stillness.
Loving ourselves, dating ourselves, let’s face it self-love is an amazing foundation for our lives
So gorgeous to read Johanna, I can feel in my own body how beautiful it is being fully in our own company and enjoying every moment and every movement. Complete with no need for anything else.
Yes, it was gorgeous to read, and inspiring too, ‘I paid extra attention not only to my meal but how I sat, how I ate and how I drank and all of this was extremely confirming of my connection, presence and stillness.’
We do tend to have this self-consciousness about eating alone and feeling awkward, but when we are fully content to be with ourselves without having to be anything for anyone else, then it’s easy to sit in public and enjoy a great meal and some time to ourselves.
I was recently part of a conversation with a group of women where we discussed contentment and are we able to just be and not go into raciness, trying to fix things, trying to be everything etc or can we just be. It was a really interesting conversation and made me more aware of how I am in those moments when I don’t need to be or do anything- I find that at these times I feel unsettled and look for constant stimulation.
I can relate to this and how I have a tendency to keep myself busy and not appreciate spending time just with me.
I love being by myself in that quiet and content space where I need nothing and no one else
Breakfast today at the Tropical Beach Resort in Hoi An was amazing and as one does getting to connect and be play-full with the resort staff was a normal part of the two hour breakfast. The way we share our love and hugs with each other deepens each year.
How often do you appreciate the deliciousness and exquisiteness of simply being with ourselves? There alone is a never-ending world of wonder to explore.
I love how you write this Carola, it makes me think of almost like a never-ending well of possibility inside me that I could explore at any moment in time.
Appreciation of ourselves is always important, appreciating the deliciousness and exquisiteness of simply being with ourselves takes appreciation to a whole new level.
As adults we could see this as a momentous occasion to be fully connected and loving how delicious it feels not needing anything. As children this is normal in every moment. How important is it then for all us to have and design our systems to support connection. Imagine walking into that restaurant and it is designed in every way to support you to connect …
Going out to eat on my own always used to put me slightly on edge – what if other people noticed, and should I feel embarrassed or ashamed I didn’t have company? But I found my favourite thing to do is to take myself out with my textbooks and computer for a cup of tea at a local coffee shop and sit and study and be with myself but with people as well, striking up conversation and just being at ease
This was a good reminder to do this as I haven’t ‘taken myself on a date’ in a while. I do enjoy times where I go and do things by myself and just enjoy my own company.
When you are at one with who you are you are never lonely because you can feel the essence of love in everyone.
Sometimes my body speaks loud and clear and is telling me it wants something different from our scheduled plan. Formerly I would more than likely stick to the plan so as not to upset my friends or the smooth running of the day but when I do choose to honour my body I am amazed at how everything just works out so well for everyone.
I love these days , the joy of just being you.
A date with yourself celebrating in full the joy of being you – beautiful sharing Johanna thankyou.
I once had a beautiful dinner date with myself, I ordered all the things I liked and tasted and appreciated each mouthful like never before with absolutely no distractions. I had been going to a gathering when I realised that I was far too early andd had time for a meal, I could have been self conscious about eating alone, but no I chose to thoroughly enjoy each bite and be completely with myself.
Self-dating – I think it should become a thing! Remember when we were teenagers and how excited we were about our first date? It was such a big deal and for me and many of my friends it was a massive moment in our development – now imagine that much importance placed on going on a date with ourselves – by the time we came to date someone else we’d be so in love with who we are there would be no room for self doubt or insecurity, we’d simply know that it was a great opportunity for both of us.
I really enjoy little dinner dates or breakfast dates with myself. Setting the table just right, lighting a candle and sitting down connecting with my food and my little vase of flowers is a beautiful way to be and to check in with how I am feeling. It’s a moment of repose in my day and I simply love it.
Beautiful it is to read this again Johanna and be reminded of that ultimate date of our lifetime is the one with ourselves first.
When we invest in our relationship with ourself then we have no need for others to confirm us and thus can truly enjoy our own company.
Whenever we choose to be with ourselves, in whatever environment, we will be rewarded with the gift of our own presence.
What a beautiful way of loving, honouring and appreciating yourself Johanna, when we are connected to our stillness and joy, we are complete nothing more is needed, for we have the all, so simple and divine.
What a gorgeous turn around from the uncomfortable, self conscious and anxious to being settled, content and appreciative of your own company and the inner joy which this brings. I notice in your description, the tenderness and the grace of all your movements and the care in your choices as part of your expression. Exquisite.
How we complicate our lives is up to us and when the love of who we are is partly or should I say wholly our Livingness then life flows.
Wow Johanna I feel I have been on the date with you, you describe the experience with such tender loving care! I too have felt this contentedness, and even welcome people looking at me now. It is not how I always feel but I do know that feeling and I most certainly did not have that even 5 years ago. I only know this down to the presentations of Serge Benhayon and his sharing of how he lives in a way that he feels total complete joy in every moment.
The beauty and amazingness you felt while enjoying your own time with you is infectious. Thank you for sharing Johanna as it highlights how being connected to our bodies in full reflects such joy and harmony in our every movement forward. Awesome.
It is beautiful how when you are truly connected with yourself how exquisite these simple moments can be.
What a beautiful experience you share here so lovingly being with your self honouring yourself and appreciating everything that comes from this in your day. It is a real inspiration and something we can all do and shows the difference we can make to our lives and how we feel ,the reflection to others to do the same and the joy and contentment this allows . And it starts from the moment of connection and honouring of all we feel and are.
So Gorgeous Johanna; I love how you felt tenderness, blessed and appreciative of the way you honoured yourself. A beautiful lesson for us all.
I love this blog Johanna; such a confirmation and appreciation to be present in every detail when taking yourself out for a date.
‘I paid extra attention not only to my meal but how I sat, how I ate and how I drank and all of this was extremely confirming of my connection, presence and stillness’. Bringing attention to how we sit to eat and how we eat ( do we stay consciously present or do we check out) is supper supportive to not overeat or to eat in a rush.
“I paid extra attention not only to my meal but how I sat, how I ate and how I drank and all of this was extremely confirming of my connection, presence and stillness.” beautifully expressed Johanna. When we are present and connected we can feel at home wherever we are and with whomever we are with, be that someone or no-one.
I am beginning to explore the feeling of joy that is felt when I live my life from my deepest essence. There is nothing like it any where else in the world, and it is completely up to me to choose it.
Johanna I could imagine how it felt for you in your very descriptive sharing.
Thank you for the confirmation of the Love we all have for ourselves that we don’t often truly appreciate! Beautiful, thank you.
How very gorgeous Johanna; I look forward to taking myself on a date, appreciating and celebrating the tender loving woman I am.
Way to go Johanna, a truly loving date with ourselves is like a date with the whole world equally.
Paying attention to how we eat is so important. I pay attention to how I am sitting as my posture supports me to be consciously present while eating so that I taste and savour every spoonful, and in so doing enjoying my meal. That said as soon as I drop my presence, I am immediately in my old pattern of shoving food in my mouth which feels horrible. Presence while eating is key.
Gorgeous to read Johanna, and equally gorgeous when we are so comfortable in our own skin, in other words, we enjoy being with ourselves and appreciating all that we are.
I really love the idea of you having a date with yourself and I can see it all started with how you woke up that morning. Even though I’m not going out this morning, I think I’m going to have a date in with myself for breakfast.
This is delightfully exquisite Johanna, thank you for sharing and inspiring us.
Thank you Johanna. A beautiful confirmation of the ‘before and after’ experience of the way we connect and cherish ourselves when we embody the teachings and presentations of self-nurturing presented by Universal Medicine.
What a confirming blog to re-read Johanna. I now love taking myself out on lunch dates. It can form part of my self care for that day. No more do I consider time on my own a waste or frivolous simply because I am not ‘working’. It is much needed as part of my daily rhythm. I like how you even paid attention to how you ate. Its all in the detail and I am discovering that the way I do every little thing matters.
A gorgeous reminder Johanna of the importance of spending precious time with ourselves, I often eat alone as I travel for work frequently your blog has inspired me to enjoy and confirm my connection and quality the next time I eat out again.
Thank you Johanna, how beautiful to read such a loving breakfast with the gorgeous you. To be comfortable and loving in one’s own skin without any neediness at all is a joy and a delight.
Thanks Jill. It does feel delicious. Something I am learning now to be with more and more is this lovely feeling of me fully while in a group of people I am engaging with. I am finding there is always a deeper level and more learning to be had.
Taking time to nurture ourselves is so important. It is time to recharge our batteries and also to reassess how we are living and what may or may not be supporting us in our lives.
I have started to have honouring mornings and they make so much of a difference, I still get what I need to get done, but having honoured and appreciated, I have noticed how more deeper I can go into my connection with self.
Sounded like a wonderful experience Johanna, it’s so amazing to feel so comfortable in ones own company because we are the one person we can’t get away from even if we try and how can we ever feel totally comfortable with another if we aren’t with ourselves. I had an amazing dinner on my own a number of years ago at a Thai restaurant, I was early for an engagement so I thought I’d have a meal and stumbled across this restaurant that had enough on the menu that I could eat. The meal was out of this world and without the distraction of conversation or other customers( as there weren’t any as it was early for dinner, )I was able to put all my attention into savouring each mouth full of this exquisite meal.
I feel as if I have just shared a beautiful breakfast with you Johanna; it felt so spacious and so natural, a far cry from meals I had on my own in the past. I haven’t eaten out on my own for a very long time, but now I am actually looking forward to the experience, which I know will be very different from any other in the past.
Your blog shows the momentum that is possible when we begin to honour how we feel and start to live it.
Great reminder to sit and appreciate how far we have come, and to be able to enjoy being with the self in this appreciation, is a beautiful confirmation. What I am learning is we do need to stop and appreciated how far we have come from the way we have been living in the past. I know I have come a long way and often I don’t make time to just sit connect and appreciate all this.
This is true Amita. I am finding that the more I am aware of the little things – how I am, how I am eating etc then there is always another level to go deeper with and to feel more. At the moment I am playing with and feeling eating, moving, relating etc with the beauty of me and from the beauty of me.
This is gorgeous to read Johanna to bring this level of appreciation and quality to all of our movements in life is a beautiful confirmation of our true worth.
With one in 10 Australians now taking medication for depression, it is good to be able to read of someone actually enjoying their own company… It sounds so simple, and yet is incredibly elusive for so many people
Appreciating and confirming who we are is very powerful, it gives us the awareness of our foundation, where we stand and where to go from here, as life is a constant movement towards being our true selves.
Simple words, taking responsibility, but the depth and breadth of this awareness, if embraced, is multi-dimensional, and reconfigures ones very existence.
There is quite a stigma in society about doing things alone in public. I know I used to be very uncomfortable with it when I was a lot younger thinking it was a sign that I didn’t have any friends or feeling that I would stand out as the odd one out. When i look back I think the root of that discomfort came from a lack of acceptance of myself and a feeling of low self-worth, and therefore I was using my friends to give me a sense of belonging and worth. I now don’t need to do that because through Universal Medicine the acceptance I feel for myself is growing and the investment I had to fulfil a neediness with my friendships is no longer there.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful experience of joyfully breakfasting alone. You can feel in your words how much of a delicious morning it was for you, which is a great inspiration to others, including myself, to cherish ourselves in every moment, albeit with company or on our own. Sometimes when I am on my own I feel the need to be doing something productive as I can get a feeling of loneliness and sadness. But that happens a lot less now as I start to feel the joyfulness just for being me and carry our my routines in accordance to what is right for my body and soul.
Beautiful Johanna – such a simple way of celebrating how amazing you are – an experience of your fullness just by making the space for it. It also exposes how unloving we can all be with our meals – rush them, eat standing up, eat on the run, go with a quick easy ‘fix’ instead of feeling into what the body is asking for. We can all make this choice to lovingly support ourselves each day with our meals, thank you for sharing.
I have enjoyed being alone before, yet I know there are places I didn’t want to go without my partner and there were times I felt very insecure to be without a group of some kind to naturally be with. There is also a strong convention that we feel is expected of us when we are holidaying with a partner or just living with a partner, that we do certain things together. So when we step out of this, we can feel the pressure of what we think we were supposed to do.
These days I don’t feel alone at all. There is such joy in just being, I feel my heart light and laughing and this leaves no room for worrying about conventions or beliefs about couples.
I loved reading about your lovely breakfast Johanna. It felt very beautiful celebrating you and it felt like it was celebrating and honouring all of us.