Recently I have discovered the joy of eating out alone. Don’t get me wrong- I’m not antisocial. I enjoy a gabfest with friends over good food just as much as the next girl. However, I don’t have a lot of “lunch” friends at my job, and eating my Lean Cuisine at my desk was losing its appeal. Besides, it seems to make the day even longer if you don’t get away from your desk.

A couple of weeks ago I was having a bad day, and just needed to get away. I went to the Subway up the street, first stopping in at the 7-11 next door to buy a magazine. I ordered my sandwich, settled into a booth at the back, and flipped through the glossy pages, pausing to take a bite here and there. After immersing myself in carbs and fashion for about 45 minutes, I felt re-energized and clear-headed, and realized I hadn’t thought about my pressing issues for a while. Maybe that was the key– to take a mindless mental break that you don’t get by noshing at your desk while playing Mah-jong or checking Facebook. I was truly unplugged for a time.

If the thought of eating alone makes you self-conscious, you aren’t alone. I used to feel that way also, but the more I did it, the easier it became. Now I try to have a solo meal once or twice a month. I’m still self-conscious at the gym, but that’s another story…

Here are a few tips to get you started on the art of solo dining:

Start small– Instead of getting your latte to go, take a few extra minutes to sit down and enjoy it. Next time, be bold and get a muffin, too.

Entertain yourself– Reading is my escape, so I always have a book in my purse. If you don’t like to read, use a small notebook to write down random thoughts, or draw doodles of your surroundings. Bonus– the wait staff won’t know if you’re a critic, so you might get better service.

Scope out your surroundings– A lot of neighborhood chain restaurant walls are literally covered in memorabilia; now is your chance to really look it over. Or pick a place that has outdoor seating when the weather is nice – people watching is a great way to pass the time.

Enjoy your food– Order something new and exciting. Smell, see, taste and experience your food. Too often we eat on the run and don’t take the time to really savor it.

Don’t feel like a second-class citizen– Don’t feel like you have to sit at the bar or at a noisy table by the kitchen. Just because there’s only one diner doesn’t make your patronage any less important. Ask for a better table, and if it’s in the middle of the dining room and people stare, so what? They’re probably envious of your poise, or wishing they could eat alone so their dining companion would stop eating off their plate.

Taking time for you is never time misspent.

Kim is the Fashion and Beauty Editor for Girls Guide. You can check out her personal blog, Parachuting Without A Net, where she talks about just about everything under the sun from being a Mom to whipping up quick dinners. You can contact Kim by Emailing her – kim [at] girlsguidetothegalaxy [dot] com, and you can follow her on Twitter – @parachuting.