Paris Cafés Taught Me How to Be Alone

Everyone told me Paris would be romantic. They meant with someone else. I spent three days dodging couples on bridges, feeling pathetic in front of the Eiffel Tower. Then I ducked into a café near République to escape the rain. The waiter didn't hover. No one expected me to order quickly or leave. I sat with my terrible French and watched strangers read newspapers, argue quietly, stare out windows. For the first time in months, I wasn't performing being happy. I wasn't Instagram-ing my croissant or pretending solo travel was empowering. I was just... there. Present. Still. I stayed for three hours. Ordered nothing but coffee. Left feeling like I'd finally learned something about myself that didn't require an audience. #Travel #SoloTravelTruth #ParisReality