I’ve never had a problem with dining alone, especially if I have something to read. It’s actually a pleasant way to recharge, be intentional about enjoying my food, people watch and eavesdrop (shhh!). The only sucky part about dining alone is the greeter who says, “Only one of you today?” while looking at me with upraised eyebrows that hint at a touch of pity.

But those days are over, thanks to “Invite for a Bite”! The launch of this new site provoked some serious conversation on Facebook, as well as inspired a few tips for people who see “Table for One” as the kiss of death.

In November 2010, I wrote a prescient blog post entitled, “The Dangers of Being Home Alone.” My main point was that while I was working from home and technically “alone,” I was rarely alone with my thoughts because I was almost never unplugged, never disconnected. Part of me also felt that working from home alone was not the most productive place to be. However, my introvert self LOVED it because, while I was alone, I wasn’t lonely. It was a year before I decided to stop being home alone, and here’s the surprise realization that my move inspired.

Recently I was reading about the origin of fairy tales and various children’s stories. I happened upon the story behind The Princess and the Pea, and it fit perfectly into today’s podcast. In this day and age, being sensitive is sometimes regarded as being weak, or emotional, or thin skinned. You hear some people say, “Stop being so sensitive!” as if it were a disgrace to not only have feelings, but to show them.

This was not the case with the Princess and the Pea. On the contrary, sensitivity was a signal that a person was of royal blood. Think about that! It was desirable, and a mark of nobility, to be sensitive.

There are those among us – especially among us introverts – for whom emotions, feelings, sensations and the environment play a profound role in how we relate to the world. We are the HSPs, or Highly Sensitive Persons.

This interview with Ane Axford, CEO and founder of sensitive + thriving, Inc., is not only interesting, but life changing … at least it was for me. Ane and I explore what it means to be an HSP, and specifically, an introverted HSP.

There’s a fabulous 2003 episode of “Sex and the City” that tells the sad tale of a poorly implemented break-up. Carrie, our lead protagonist, awakes after an evening with her boyfriend to find herself alone with a post-it note that says, “I’m sorry, I can’t, don’t hate me.” She takes the note to breakfast with her gal pals, seething with anger and disgust.

At some point, she decides that the day cannot go down in history as “the day she got broke up with a post-it.” Here’s the story of how Carrie inspired me when I experienced my own “post-it day,” and how you can take back your own power.

In the world of personal development, the phrase “step outside your comfort zone” (usually proceeded by the words “you have to”) shows up so much, I’ve decided never to use that phrase again.

After all, why would I want to step outside my comfort zone? My comfort zone is filled with dark chocolate, naps, kitty cats, my BFFs, spending a quiet evening at home and reading in my comfy chair. It’s a cozy place where, according to those who want me to step out of it, I can turn into an indifferent blob of unchallenged humanity, complete with cobwebs and a layer of dust.

Today, it’s all about why I’m taking back my comfort zone from those who tell me to step out of it!