She was scared about returning to her car after attending a concert alone — then one incident at the parking lot later confirmed her fears
Being alone after dark requires extra awareness, especially when your surroundings begin to feel unusual. A content creator named Aliya had decided to attend a concert in San Diego by herself as part of her effort to face the fears many women carry and become more comfortable doing things alone. Before the show, she was already uneasy about the parking lot she had chosen because it was the cheapest option nearby but not exactly the safest. The unfamiliar setting made her question how safe she would feel when the concert ended. In an Instagram post shared on June 14, 2026, under the handle @aliya.adventures, she shared the details of the night and what unfolded later, leaving her scared for her life.
At the parking lot, Aliya noticed several people experiencing homelessness and said the overall setting made her uncomfortable. She also described seeing a man preparing what appeared to be some kind of illegal substance, while other men were around the area. As she walked toward the concert, she started feeling better, even though some people yelled at her along the way. "All night, I was nervous about it," she said, referring to the short walk back to the parking lot alone. After the concert, she even called her boyfriend and stayed on the phone while walking back to her car. When she reached the parking lot and began getting into the car, a man suddenly appeared and ran toward her.
The content creator quickly got inside the car and locked the door as the man charged at her. He then turned around and walked away, but the sudden encounter left her badly shaken. She felt safer while walking back because other people were nearby, but she was alone as soon as she reached her car. In her view, the incident showed how fast a safety plan can change when someone is alone at night. After getting into the car, Aliya drove away, still terrified by the incident.
She said she had spent the evening worrying about what might happen during the short walk back, and the encounter made that fear feel real. "I was shaking, literally shaking," she expressed. She also described the experience as "beyond scary," while reflecting on how "the concert was an absolute blast and I was pissed my fabulous night was tainted by the threat of violence and harm." She added in the caption that others should ensure their safety in public but not let the fear stop them from doing whatever they wish to do.
Doing daily activities alone as a woman can also be a little scary. This was what a physical therapist named Dr. Libby Schwartz experienced when she noticed a stranger running behind her during a solo run. After asking, "Why are you running after me?" she told him, "Get back!" until the man walked away. The incident left her terrified and reminded her to trust her instincts while staying aware of her surroundings. She also advised runners to avoid wearing noise-canceling earphones when outside and to be vigilant.
For more such stories, follow @aliya.adventures on Instagram.