Women do not go to cultural events on their own because they are worried about other people’s judgements. 

That’s according to a leading expert on what it’s like to be single in modern Ireland.

All this week, Lunchtime Live has been discussing the advantages and disadvantages of not having a partner and Ariana Dunne, who hosts the podcast Solo Powered, believes single people need to be bolder in their personal lives.

“I teach coaching and as a result of that… I hear reasons why women aren’t doing things that they want to do in their life,” she said.

“Whether that’s setting up their own business, having a baby on their own or socialising on their own.

“You know, do things that they want to do because they’re worried about what other people think.

“They’re worried about other people’s impressions or judgements of them.

“If we strip that away, we realise that nobody’s thinking anything about you… nobody's even batting an eyelid.

“They’re all busy doing their own thing.”

Caucasian woman sitting in a bar.

One thing that many people baulk at is attending cultural events and eating out by themselves - but this is something Ms Dunne said she “absolutely loves”.

“I’ve done it many, many times,” she said.

“The very first time I think I ever went out on my own was… when I had heard about a nightclub which was hosting the fabulous poet Stephen James Smith in the International Bar.

“I never could find any friends who wanted to go to my poetry night.

“We didn’t have the same interests.”

Ms Dunne said she ended up having an “incredible night” and met some “wonderful people” that she still knows today.

You can listen back:

Main image: A woman out by herself, reading a book and having a drink. Picture by: Alamy.com