Best Solo Date Ideas: The It-Girl Guide to Dating Yourself
You’re cute. You should date you.
Dating yourself is an art. It’s a beautiful, personal, enriching experience that makes life more magical.
In times when you’re itching to leave your house and do a fun activity, but you hesitate because there’s nobody to join you. The solution here is to go on a solo date. A solo date is an activity you do deliberately alone.
My philosophy is that you don’t have to wait for your friends to live your life.
Don’t get me wrong— staying home in PJs all day is pretty fabulous. But something about dressing up for nobody other than yourself and mapping out your perfect day in the wild is special. It’s daring!
While it’s wonderful to take yourself out, it can also be intimidating. One of my girlfriends gets physically ill at the thought of sitting alone at a restaurant. Unfortunately, there are some underlying fallacies against doing things alone. The general nerves surrounding being alone are totally valid, but it’s really cool when you overcome them.
A lot of the apprehension about going out alone stems from the negativity surrounding singleness. But the freedom to do whatever you want, whenever you want is empowering.
I’m also a firm believer that you can make time for yourself even if you’re in a relationship. In fact, my philosophy to dating yourself is simply celebrating and indulging in all your favorite things just because you can.
I don’t want to sound like a self-help book. However, dating yourself is a practice of self-love, self-care, empowerment, blah blah. The bottom line here is that you should not be waiting around for anybody to do whatever the hell you want to do.
When in doubt about doing activities by yourself, think of Kevin in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. What an icon. That kid couldn’t wait to galavant around New York City, followed by order room service in The Plaza.
But sometimes, a solo date doesn’t mean having to leave home. Put some effort into planning the perfect night in and treat yourself to rest and relaxation.
Ready to dive in? Use this guide to plan your next solo date.
Bookstore and coffee shop date
For some reason, picking out a book reverts me back to childhood. As a kid, I was allowed to pick one book from Barnes & Noble. For little Sophie, this was a very thrilling and nerve-racking task. Today, choosing a book to purchase isn’t as monumental, but it does still excite me.
Visiting a bookstore and following up with a solo coffee shop date is a sweet, very main-character moment. For this solo date, buy a book and visit your favorite coffee shop afterward. Find a cozy spot, order a drink, and start your book. Sounds like the perfect afternoon to me.
Visit a museum
Visiting a museum is an amazing choice for your next solo date. Museums are a top-tier solo activity because you’re immersed in a beautiful environment that doesn’t revolve around socializing. Whether you’re interested in art, history, or science, there are multiple options depending on your personal interests and, of course, where you live.
Go out to a restaurant
Dining alone at a restaurant is not a level 1 solo date. This might sound silly if you are a solo-diner aficionado. But for us lay people, it could be really intimidating. Enjoying the experience of dining at a restaurant alone requires confidence and an innate independence.
If you’ve been wanting to dine alone, but are feeling uneasy, here are some tips:
Go somewhere that you are genuinely excited to try. Maybe this restaurant has been on your radar for a while, or perhaps you’re craving a specific cuisine and don’t want to wait for someone to join you.
Bring a book. Reading at the table can alleviate that “What do I do with myself?” feeling. It also helps you stay off your phone. Additionally, think of your book as a prop. With a book in your hand, you’ll look like the hot, mysterious bookworm who everyone thinks is badass for enjoying her own company.
Self-care night
Planning the ultimate night in is the perfect way to treat yourself when you don’t want to leave home.
Sometimes, a solo date isn’t about going outside your comfort zone. It’s about spoiling yourself and having fun in your own company. Planning an elevated night-in is a great way to do just that.
Treat your at-home solo date like a wine night with the girls.
Here are some ideas for an at-home solo date:
- Make a charcuterie plate with your favorite cheeses and meats
- Make yourself a fun cocktail, mocktail, or cozy hot drink
- Watch a movie you’ve never seen before
- Bullet journal about your favorite things or dream trips you want to take
- Create playlists for every occasion or season
Take a class
Taking a class is a fun way to expand your horizons. Gifting yourself a new skill or experience is a unique and enriching way to spend your free time. Additionally, if you’re interested in making new friends, classes are a great way to meet people.
Whether you’re in the mood to get creative or active, classes are a unique way to get out of your comfort zone. Here are some class ideas for your next solo date:
- Ballet class
- Workout class
- Pottery class
- Cooking class
- Language course
- Tennis lessons
Be a tourist in your city
Being a tourist in your own city is a cool way to spend time with yourself while learning more about where you live. As a solo “tourist” you’re able to visit landmarks that your partner or friend group just aren’t interested in. Additionally, if you live in a walkable city, walking is a great way to get the lay of the land. On your hot girl walk, listen to music or a podcast while noting cafes and shops you want to return to.
Thrifting
Thrifting is one of my favorite solo date activities. Shopping second-hand is ethical and affordable. It is also creative and a great way to spend your afternoon.
As silly as it sounds, finding a thrifted or vintage piece that you love feels like a mini-accomplishment. Sifting through racks and racks of clothing to eventually find something you love is like striking gold.
Cook a new recipe
When you want to spend a night in, it’s nice to throw an at-home dinner party… party of one!
Cooking a new recipe is a great way to test your skills and get creative. Start by sifting through your cookbooks or online articles to find a recipe worth making. Then, take a trip to the grocery to get all your ingredients. Once you start cooking, choose a vibey playlist to dance around the kitchen to. Voilà! You’ve officially created a perfect (and hopefully delicious) evening for yourself.
