Why I Started Taking Myself on Solo Dates
Solo dates became my form of self-love and self-care. All my life, I had convinced myself that weekends were only meant for checking off to-do lists.
I thought it was selfish to spend time alone, but once I started treating myself the way I’d treat a friend, everything changed.
It was no longer about being alone, it was about showing up for myself with no apologies. Solo dates became my way of recharging, doing activities I love, and giving myself the time and attention I deserved as the baby girl I am.
Whether it was grabbing a coffee at my favorite spot, visiting a museum, or simply taking a long walk in nature, those small gestures made me embrace the joy of my own company. No guilt, no pressure, just pure enjoyment.
In this article, I’ll share with you the simple solo dates that I have incorporated into my life.
Honestly, spending time alone is the best thing you can do to show yourself love and give yourself the attention you need without waiting for someone else to do it.
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1. Walking with Yourself Can Be Surprisingly Refreshing
I usually take walks around my neighbourhood whenever I get time. No headphones, no distractions. Just the sound of birds and the soft crunch of gravel.
I sometimes wear these super comfy memory foam walking shoes that make long walks feel effortless
It is so refreshing, even if you had a bad mood that day, it automatically changes when you reconnect with nature.
You notice the simple things that we rarely notice when we are busy rushing through our busy schedules.
Like the smell of blooming flowers and how the breeze brushed past my arms. Something about that moment made me feel more alive than I had in weeks.
Walking by yourself can be a simple way to reconnect. You’re not doing it to get anywhere. You’re doing it to breathe, to think, or not to think at all.
2. Café Time Without Scrolling
The first time I tried leaving my phone in my bag during a coffee date with myself, I felt a bit lost. I didn’t know where to look or what to do with my hands. I swear it was so weird.
So, I picked up the menu, chose something I hadn’t tried before, and started writing on a napkin. One idea led to another.
That’s how café time became a little ritual. Sometimes I journal. I always bring this minimalist leather journal with me, it’s become part of my café ritual.
Sometimes I people-watch. There was this time, I watched an older couple hold hands over breakfast and found myself smiling.
Love is indeed a beautiful thing when you find the right person.
Café Time Activities I Love:
- Journaling – Helps me clear my mind and reflect in peace.
- Sketching – A fun way to be creative and capture the moment.
- Reading – Escaping into a story while sipping coffee is pure magic.
- List-making – Helps me stay grounded, motivated, and focused.
3. Movies Alone Aren’t Weird, They’re Peaceful
I usually book a ticket for a late-night movie once in a while, just for myself. No one to share snacks with.
No pressure to pick the film others would enjoy and pretend to like them. Just me and that oversized screen. And I enjoy every moment more than usual.
Like, there are so many things you enjoy and learn when you’re on yourself. No one is there to judge your snack choices.
No one asked questions in the middle of key scenes. It is just you, the story, and the freedom to enjoy every second without checking on someone else.
4. Bookstores Make the Best Company
I don’t know if it’s just me, but I can spend hours in a bookstore with no plan. That’s the beauty of it. There’s no schedule.
I pick a book. Sit down. Read a few pages. Then another. Sometimes I find one that speaks to me, and I carry it home.
Being in a space full of words and stories, where no one expects anything from you, is a kind of magic I didn’t know I needed.
5. Take Yourself on a Picnic
I packed my favorite sandwich, cold fruit, a blanket and walked to a quiet patch of grass. I use this foldable picnic mat, it’s lightweight, cute, and super easy to carry. I didn’t wait for a friend to be free. Didn’t ask anyone if they wanted to come. I just went.
Lying there, watching the sky shift and clouds drift past, I felt so still. No rush. No expectations. I closed my eyes and just listened. That one-hour picnic felt better than most dinner plans I’ve had with others.
6. Art Galleries Are Meant to Be Strolled Slowly
Walking through an art gallery on a weekday is another incredible solo date idea. When most people are not around. Paused at a painting longer than you ever would if you were with someone.
You don’t have to keep pace with a friend. You have time to read the little descriptions beside each piece.
Even sit on the gallery bench, staring at one painting until it made sense to you. It is usually quiet, thoughtful, and strangely moving.
7. Cook for Yourself Like You Deserve It
You can just do a solo dinner date at home. Once in a while, I decide to make a proper dinner just for me. No microwaved leftovers. No cereal.
I lit a candle, picked a fun playlist, and tried a new recipe. It took longer than I expected, but I was singing while cooking.
When I sat down at my little table with a meal I made from scratch, something clicked. It wasn’t just food. It was care.
The kind of care I give to people I love. And I finally gave some to myself. It’s so fulfilling, like you’re loving yourself too. Before you love others, give that love to yourself first.
8. Try a Self-Portrait Photo Walk
Once in a while, go to town with just your phone and a small tripod. This portable phone tripod helps me capture solo moments hands-free. Take photos of the buildings you love, flowers growing through fences, and those quiet little corners that feel like secret spots only you notice. Then, turn the camera toward yourself.
No filters, no perfect angles, just natural light, your own eyes, and a soft, honest smile. Don’t worry about looking perfect. What matters is capturing something real. Something that feels like you.
9. Paint, Even If You Don’t Know How
I bought a cheap set of paints and sat on my kitchen floor one Saturday. No idea what I was doing. But I set a timer for an hour and just let myself play. No rules. Just color.
I laughed when I made a mess. I kept going when the paint mixed into weird shades. That canvas now hangs above my bed.
It reminds me that joy doesn’t have to be pretty to matter. You can try this too, spend time with yourself, enjoying the little things.
You’re Not Waiting for Anyone
I always believed fun was something that happened with others. That rest had to be shared to feel real. But I was wrong. You can enjoy anything by yourself.
The more I dated myself, the more I realized how much I’d been missing, and most importantly, I learned things I didn’t know about myself.
Not because of the lack of people, but because I wasn’t paying attention to my own needs. Trying solo date ideas for the first time can feel strange at first. You might feel awkward. But slowly, it becomes something else.
It becomes freedom. It becomes care. You’re not waiting around anymore. You’re living, even on your own.
Have you ever taken yourself on a solo date? Share your favorite self-care rituals in the comments below, I’d love to hear from you!
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