Have you ever taken yourself on a date?

Not because no one was available.

Not because you had to.

But simply because you wanted to enjoy your own company.

A few days ago, I was traveling for a business trip. I wasn’t in a hurry, so instead of taking the interstate to the airport, I decided to take the scenic route along the coast.

Sometimes the best moments in life aren’t planned.

Sometimes they find us because we choose to slow down.

As I drove along the coastline, a beautiful restaurant overlooking the ocean caught my attention. It was one of those places I’d always thought, One day, I’d love to eat there.

That day had finally arrived.

Or at least it could have.

I drove right past it.

Almost immediately, that familiar voice of logic started speaking.

“It’s probably expensive.”

“You don’t need a fancy lunch.”

“Just grab something quick at the airport.”

If you know me, you know I’m practical. Give me a simple Mediterranean or Indian meal, and I’m perfectly happy.

Logic almost always wins.

Then another voice quietly interrupted.

“Why are you driving past something you’ve always wanted to experience?”

“When will you ever be back here?”

Without giving myself another chance to argue, I made a U-turn.

As I pulled into the parking lot, I noticed rows of beautiful cars.

For a brief moment, I secretly hoped the valet would tell me they were fully booked.

Instead, he smiled, took my keys, and said,

“Go on in. They have seating at the bar.”

There went my excuse.

I walked through the front doors and immediately felt the atmosphere change.

The smell of fresh food.

The sound of conversations.

The ocean stretching out beyond the windows.

The hostess smiled and led me to the only open seat at the bar, overlooking the water.

As I reached into my pocket…

No phone.

For a second, I considered going back to the car.

Then I smiled.

Maybe this wasn’t bad luck.

Maybe this was exactly what I needed.

The Italians have a beautiful phrase: dolce far niente—the sweetness of doing nothing.

Not laziness.

Not wasting time.

Simply giving yourself permission to slow down and enjoy the present moment.

So I left my phone where it was.

No emails.

No text messages.

No social media.

No distractions.

Just the sound of the waves gently rolling onto the shore.

Watching the bartenders carefully craft each drink as though it were a work of art.

Listening to laughter from nearby tables.

Watching families celebrate birthdays, couples celebrate anniversaries, and friends simply enjoy being together.

For the first time in a long while, I wasn’t thinking about my next meeting, my next decision, or my next project.

I was simply present.

And I realized something.

I wasn’t wasting time.

I was investing in myself.

I asked the bartender what he recommended.

“I’ll trust your judgment,” I told him.

He smiled and brought me one of the best meals I’ve had in a long time, paired with a drink I probably never would have ordered on my own.

When I finished, I looked at the dessert menu.

I wasn’t hungry anymore.

But I wasn’t ready to leave either.

So I ordered dessert.

Not because I needed it.

Because I wanted to enjoy the moment just a little longer.

As I finished my last bite, someone gently tapped me on the shoulder.

“Can I buy you a drink?” a lady asked with a smile. “I’m waiting for my family, and you seem like a nice person.”

I thanked her sincerely but politely declined.

A few minutes later, I picked up my car and continued toward the airport.

Somewhere along that drive, I realized the lunch had never really been about the food.

It was about something much deeper.

We spend so much of our lives investing in everyone else.

Our spouses.

Our children.

Our friends.

Our careers.

Our businesses.

Our communities.

Yet how often do we invest in ourselves?

We live in a world that celebrates being busy.

We’re constantly connected.

Always answering.

Always producing.

Always chasing the next goal.

Perhaps that’s why so many people feel exhausted even after achieving so much.

That afternoon reminded me that being alone isn’t the same as being lonely.

Sometimes being alone is exactly what your mind, body, and soul need.

Sometimes the most productive thing you can do… is slow down.

As I left that restaurant, I didn’t just leave with a great meal.

I left with peace.

With gratitude.

With clarity.

And with a promise to myself that this wouldn’t be the last time I took myself on a date.

Maybe next time…

I’ll leave my phone in the car on purpose.

So let me leave you with one question.

If you set your phone down for just one hour and took yourself on a date, what might you discover about yourself?

Dr. Anthony Ndungu, PhD. MBA, RN
Entrepreneur | Leader | Growth Advocate
CEO, http://www.kansashomehealth.com|www.medicashift.com|www.meadowlarkcarehomes.com
“We make lives better.”