> feeling "like everyone is questioning why you are there by yourself"

This sounds like https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spotlight_effect In reality it's likely that nobody noticed you much at all, and almost certainly didn't care to analyze why you're by yourself or even if you really are by yourself.

It can be actually liberating to realize that random strangers you're not interacting with couldn't care less about you short of some kind of medical emergency (and sometimes even then...)

It can be more fun to go to events with people. It can also be more fun to go by yourself. Just realize either way people around you are unlikely to care or even notice either way.

Well, it depends on the event and the people. Some people are endless gossip and all they care about are what other people are doing. Some people love to hang out and people watch. Which, btw, is a great thing to do if you're alone :D

It's the same in the gym. People are there to do their own workouts and won't even notice anyone else (unless they're squat rack curling, then everyone will notice).

Thanks for sharing this link, very interesting.

At least in the states, women who are perceived to be alone or merely without male companion really are noticed by a certain kind of guy as available for harassment.

Not to sound like too much of an egotist but some of us really are noticed an awful lot and spotlight effect sounds pretty alien to me. I am very tall (over two meters) so that is definitely part of it. I am very outgoing and I tend to go to events alone (because few friends share all my interests and I am fairly antisocial and impatient). All that congeals into many people remembering me and I don't remember them (except interesting stories separated from identities). I don't think most people remember me but many do, they have told me so. It would be quite an experience to just be able to be unnoticed in a crowd but it is one I have never really experienced in larger crowds as there is always some extrovert introduces themselves. I daresay intentional attention seekers and those with some physical quality that greatly distinguishes them from the norm would have a similar experience.

Sounds like this might be right up your alley: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grandiose_delusions

While I've had a decent time with a good friend, it's somewhat liberating to go alone.

Re: "why everyone is questioning why you are there by yourself": This may depend on the area. I lived in Boston for a while and people seemed openly hostile about solo guys. I remember I went to the Enormous Room (RIP: http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-enormous-room-cambridge) one night by myself and got questioned multiple times why I was alone there... The funny thing is that 2 friends I know randomly showed up there on the same night, so I didn't actually end up alone after all... I just go alone sometimes because it is freeing.

I think it depends on how well your social needs are being met in the rest of your life, if you are lonely going to a event like that alone can make you feel worse.

Must be USA thing.

Yes! Well, I don't know if it is particular only to the USA, but.. that is one of the freedoms I gained when I moved to Norway. Perfectly acceptable to go see music in a bar by myself, or to any social function, etc. - and I don't feel out of place doing it. Nor do I get hassled about being a female walking to/from home during the night after going to the same places.

Doing the same things in the states, you feel the aloneness more and it is much more rare for folks to do.

Eh I don't know. When I was in Paris, going to concerts alone was fine but the days when my friends were there to chat and interact with me we're far more happy and full.

can you clarify? Do you mean enjoyment of going alone, or others questioning you for your lack of compatriots?

Honestly, nobody cares if you are there by yourself or with friends. It's not a big deal to others if its not a big deal to you.

One way to tackle this to just view everyone as your friend when you go somewhere. Some of your friends might have bad day, but you know you are friends so you are okay with that and move on to talk with your other friends. "Know thyself" might be appropriate here.

This is from someone who has been sick for several years due to physical illness, has no friends and spends 99% of time by himself.