While it’s always great to see your friends, you should reserve some time to focus on yourself, too. I know that some people feel uncomfortable being on their own, and I totally understand that. For those that are hesitant to spend time by themselves, I challenge you to step outside your comfort zone. Here are seven date ideas for you to treat yourself to:
There’s something so comforting about a coffee shop. I just love the ambiance there: the music softly playing through the speakers, all the people chatting or working, the smell of freshly brewed coffee. As many first dates start at a cafe, you should start your self-date journey here, too. Ditch Starbucks for a small, local coffee shop. Buy yourself your favorite cup of coffee, a pastry, two pastries…whatever your heart desires. Find a quiet table to spend some time at. I usually write or read in coffee shops, both of which are solid self-date options. But if you’re not much of a reader, you can put on your favorite podcast, sit back, and listen. It might feel strange at first, but no one is judging you. Enjoy the moments you spend on your own.
As cheesy as it sounds, you should maximize the time you spend outdoors. Nature has healing qualities; when you’re outside, both your body and mind are (of course) more active and reinvigorated. Self-love involves taking care of your physical and mental health. What’s better for your wellbeing than fresh air and sunshine? Go to your favorite park or hiking trail, unplug from social media, put on some music, and try to enjoy your own company. Make sure to stay hydrated! Bring a water bottle with you and some snacks to keep your energy high. Of course, you can always just sit at a park if you’re not looking for a strenuous hike. Treat yourself to a nice picnic, or simply enjoy your time in the open air.
Tired of laying around at home? Test your creativity! A creative project is an exciting self-date—and one that might surprise you. You might not realize how creative you actually are until you put your skills into action. A creative self-date offers you the chance to try something new. Whether it’s crocheting or journaling, creative writing or graphic design, you can explore different hobbies you might end up pursuing. It’s also nice to have a tangible memory of your self-date, even if it’s a hideous, hole-filled hat you knitted for yourself. Skill Share has a lot of classes you can take to develop your talents. Self-teaching is another valid option, though a more challenging one.
Caught a case of the hometown blues? Desperate to leave the area you live in? My advice: take yourself on a road trip. Obviously, you shouldn’t just ditch your family and friends out of the blue for five months without notice. When I say “take yourself on a road trip,” I mean you should take yourself on a shorter, easier one. My idea of a self-date road trip is taking myself to the coastline, which is about an hour from my house. I only spend a few hours there, but it’s enough to satisfy me. Prove to yourself that you’re a spontaneous, adventurous person, who’s unafraid of running into traffic. You should definitely make a road trip playlist to enhance the experience, and have the windows down at all times!
If Parks and Recreation taught me one thing, it’s the importance of treating yourself. Everyone has a different definition of “treat yourself.” Some people prefer to treat themselves to a fancy meal, while others choose to treat themselves to a new wardrobe. Whatever your idea of treating yourself is, go for it. Don’t let me stop you. Everyone deserves a nice little splurge every now and then. Though self-love can’t be bought, it certainly doesn’t hurt to make a purchase for yourself. Budgets don’t exist on treat yourself days.
Everyone could use a spa day every once in a while. (Can we please have mandated spa days?). You don’t necessarily have to go to a spa to have a spa day. For a zen self-date, you can create your own at-home spa. Light some candles around your bathroom and dim the lights. Play some soft music, or if you want, ambient white noise. Throw on a face mask and your most calming lotion, then slip into the bathtub. Read a book or simply relax. While in the bath, you should center your thoughts to all things positive, leaving you feeling replenished and at peace with yourself. One way to improve your spa day is with a glass of wine. Who said we can’t drink in the tub? You can end your spa night with a round of yoga, for an extra dose of wellness.
Maybe I’m a narcissist, but there’s no better dinner company than yourself. Make a night out of cooking for yourself! I like to (once again) light candles around my kitchen, play jazz music, and find a recipe that calls to me. Once I’ve gathered all the ingredients I need, I get to cooking. I don’t pay attention to portions—on my self-date, I’ll eat however much I want. Make your favorite meal, or experiment with a new recipe. It’s even more fun to dress up for the occasion, though there’s nothing wrong with eating in pajamas. If you’re not hungry for dinner, have a baking self-date instead. What’s a better way to treat yourself than to an entire tray of brownies?
It may take a while for you to enjoy your own company, but don’t give up. If all of your friends can see you for the wonderful person you are, then you can, too.
Feature image source: https://pin.it/1SDOFCO
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