Spring has sprung in London. With the time change, longer days, and spring blossoms out more people have come out of hibernation and started to do more. This is always such an amazing time of year in London. Time for a new beginning and maybe meeting someone new? This is all nice in theory, but having a significant other doesn’t mean a happy ending and having endless things to do. Sometimes you need to take yourself on a solo date. Whether you are single or happily married, there is no one in the world that can make you happier than yourself. It’s important to try some things on your own.
Did you click on this link for fun date ideas? Or fun things to do on your own? Good news, you will find that information in this blog post, but like many of my blog posts, there is a bit of a deeper message I would like to spread: we are the only people who are responsible for our happiness. It is not healthy, fair, or realistic to expect one single person to fulfill all your needs. I have a best friend to take to a Beyonce concert, a boyfriend to take to a fancy dinner, a sister to have Sunday brunch with, but I cannot expect all these things from one person.
In a perfect world, our partners and closest friends will always want to do everything with us, but that is not always the case. Putting our happiness in the hands of others is an exercise in disappointment. Let’s not do this, instead, let’s fill our own damn glass with wine. Let’s do the stuff we love doing, even if it means doing it alone.
Doing things solo makes us more independent, interesting, capable, self-reliant and gives us a sense of fulfillment. All of these qualities make us a better partner, friend, and human. So here is my list of 10 things you should do solo…
10 Ideas For Solo Dates
- Go to the movies – I’ve said it before, and I will say it again – this is one of the most liberating and pleasant experiences ever. You don’t have to share your snacks, hear opinions on the previews or watch a film you don’t want to watch. If you are nervous about going to a film in the evening and seeing a bunch of couples around you then catch a matinee film, it’s cheaper and fewer couples, it’s a win-win situation!
- Go on a tube ride – Have a ride-all-you-can public transportation adventure! Living in London there is a daily cap on the tube fares, which means you can jump on and off the tube as many times as you want and never go over a certain amount. This is a perfect way to get to know London a bit better and explore a new neighborhood. Once you are done with one area, jump back on the bus or train and lather, rinse and repeat!
- Book yourself a night at a nice hotel – It sounds weird, but pick a nice hotel or resort in your city and stay for a night away from home. This might be an expensive choice, but sometimes it is nice to just treat yourself. Take advantage of all the amenities in the hotel, bar, rooftop pool, room service, etc. It’s just one night, so take advantage of it!
- Get up early and take yourself out to breakfast before work – There is something so naughty with the thought of starting a workday wit ha little decadence. Set your alarm for an hour and a half earlier than usual and maybe lay out your outfit and pack a lunch the night before so you aren’t too stressed with an early morning alarm. Choose a cafe that is conveniently located either near your house or near your office and duck into it for an early morning date with yourself. It is likely to be pretty empty on a weekday and you can get your coffee and eggs in peace before tackling your day. Breakfast dates are really good for people who aren’t comfortable eating by themselves. You’re a lot less likely to get bothered by couples at 8:15 am on a Tuesday morning.
- Watch a sunset – Sunsets aren’t just made for cliche proposals and couples holding hands; they’re gorgeous and calming for everyone! Google “best places for sunset [city name]” and find your way to a location about 20minute before sundown. Bring a book, snack, or glass/bottle of wine and enjoy!
- Take a tour of a local museum or art gallery – Luckily in London all the museums are free so this can be a cheap solo date as well! When visiting a museum or art gallery you always have to be quiet and everyone else is so focused on the art that no one is paying attention to whether or not you are alone or have a plus one. Appreciating art has always been a solo activity and can be a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Solo museum attendance allows you to go at your own pace, even if that means spending too much time in the over-priced gift shop.
- Coffee shop fun – Take your favorite book or gossip magazine or your trusty laptop as a companion and spend an afternoon in a coffee shop. Make sure you order a large version of your favorite drink and maybe a chocolate cake as well, then stay a while. Don’t leave for a while, you will start to notice so many amazing things. You can also be quite productive and get work done because most coffee shops inspire productivity or maybe that is just the caffeine?
- Treat yourself to a fun shopping day at the mall – I have always liked solo shopping. You get to go into the stores you want to go into and you can just browse for hours without someone trying to lead you from one store to the next. You are totally worth it and you should splurge on yourself every now and then.
- Have a solo spa day – It is pretty common for ladies to have a spa day with their BFFs, but there is nothing wrong with taking one on your own. Imagine a day with almost complete silence and pampering. No gossiping, or idle chit chat, just a nice massage and aromatherapy candles surrounding you. A solo spa date can be even more rejuvenating experience than going with a friend!
- Take a walk – This is the cheapest and probably the healthiest solo date idea I have. When you take a long walk around your neighborhood with the intent of thinking and relaxing more than exercise or burning calories you will be shocked at how much you actually think about or how many todo lists you will come up with. Also, this is a great way to get to know your neighborhood better and the best part is you are burning calories on this date!
Now that I have laid out my list…I want to hear from you! Do you ever take yourself on solo dates? How do you keep from piling all your happiness expectations on your friends, family, or partner?
Dress – Ted Baker
Shoes – Vince Camuto
Handbag – Forever 21
Sunglasses – Miu Miu
I hope this blog post has encouraged you to remember you can totally hang out with yourself and have an amazing time. If you enjoyed this blog post, I would love if you saved/heart it on Bloglovin’! If you want to get instant updates on my life make sure to follow me on Snapchat (@anikazzz) or check out my Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
