I did not want to go to this dinner at all.
It was late on a lazy Sunday afternoon, after an extremely busy week. I was sprawled out on the couch, tired and content, watching the Golden State Warriors go for history as they tried to win their 72nd regular season game. The last thing I wanted to do was leave my apartment, but duty was calling—a good friend was leaving town for several months of travel, and he had organized a last-minute going away dinner with his closest friends in SF.
My intuition was screaming “stay at home!” for so many reasons. I was tired and feeling antisocial. A game that promised to be an instant classic was tied at halftime. And the restaurant my friend chose was pricey and featured small plates. The only reason I went was to hang out with my buddy one last time before he left town.
And it was definitely the right decision.
When we got to the restaurant, I was visibly grumpy. But after about an hour of good-natured ribbing back and forth about missing the game, the 10 of us at the table shared an amazing meal. The conversation was fun, light-hearted, and free-flowing throughout, and the food ended up being delicious and filling. We stayed at the restaurant for nearly three hours, telling jokes, stories, and just enjoying each other’s company. It was one of those nights you remember for a while, and the kind of experience you can’t buy.
I’m glad my desire to be a supportive friend overruled my natural inclination to do what I felt was right for me at the time. Although a small part of me is still bummed I missed the game (the Warriors ended up winning), I don’t doubt my decision for a second. Despite my initial hesitation and discomfort, I’m glad I ignored the voice inside my head and chose a social experience over an isolated one.
That’s not to say I’ll continue ignoring my instincts when it comes to socializing. Sometimes the right call might be to stay in and chill. But this night showed that sometimes we don’t always know what’s in our own best interest.
Sometimes it’s best to go with the flow, and enjoy the company you find yourself in.