I haven’t had a conversation of more than a couple sentences in two days. In that time I’ve driven 6 hours, alone. Eaten at a restaurant of another culture where most people were speaking a language I don’t, alone. Gone to a concert, alone. Eaten a continental breakfast (which I love), alone. Toured an entire art museum, alone. Walked several miles through a city park, along the shoreline, and around the entirety of a large pier, alone. I get this comic.

But at the same time, I started to learn to give/get self-hugs a long time ago, and even doing things alone I still have connections to others. I listened to a book while driving that I may suggest for book club. The restaurant I ate at was recommended to me by a stranger I knew for just a few minutes at a music festival three months ago. The band I saw is the one I listened to as I started getting out of the grief pit from my dad’s passing, and I thought of him a few times throughout the show and it felt good. I don’t know that I was thinking of anyone during the continental breakfast, but it was pretty tasty in a mediocre way. At the museum I saw paintings that took me all the way back to elementary school when I first learned about them, and I felt connected to my younger self. Walking alone I could casually observe the groups around me and appreciate a brief glimpse into their dynamics (and their costumes!).

So for now, I have no hugs as I go about my day, but it’s okay. I can get by, and eventually there will be hug-filled days ahead.

Thanks for the comic!