10 Ways To Date Yourself This Summer
Photo by Anastasia Pavlova
The summer sun has been shining relentlessly these days, and with its warmth comes the desire for adventure. You’re longing for something new, exciting, and different… something to do while the days are still long and sun-soaked.
The only issue? Well, you don’t have a special someone to adventure with. You’ve currently no new love interest to go to the beach with, no long-term boyfriend to have a picnic with.
But this doesn’t mean you’re doomed to have nothing to do all summer long. Instead, why not date yourself this summer? Why not master the art of going somewhere all alone, having a grand time with just yourself as your company? Here are 10 ways you can date yourself this summer.
01 | Go to a movie by yourself.
Walking into a theater on your own can be a bit anxiety-inducing. It seems everyone else there has someone to chatter with and be with except you. But even if you are the only person who came alone, you needn’t be self-conscious—the movie theater is a wonderful place to blend in and relax.
Pick a movie you’ve been wanting to see, grab some popcorn and a drink, and allow yourself to enjoy your solo date night.
02 | Cook your favorite meal & eat it outside.
Maybe one day, you’ll be cooking for two (or even more). But for now, bask in the freedom that comes with cooking for yourself—you get the final decision about anything and everything that’s on the menu.
Go all out for yourself; don’t cut corners. Cook up your favorite meal and sit outside to enjoy your meal, whether you have a little porch out front or a small balcony out back. If you enjoy entertainment with dinner, try putting on an audiobook.
03 | Take yourself on a trip.
You don’t need someone to adventure with—you have yourself. Take a day trip up the coast, book a night at an inn in a nearby city, or take a flight to a destination you’ve always wanted to visit.
Traveling alone as a woman certainly requires a few more safety precautions. Make sure more than just one person knows your itinerary and check in with them regularly. Do extensive research beforehand to ensure you don’t find yourself in unsafe areas, and be cautious about anyone you meet along the way.
With that being said, there is something uniquely refreshing and exciting about traveling on your own, whether it’s a day trip or a week-long adventure. What you do with your day, where you go, and what you eat is entirely up to you. Being your own travel buddy enables you to learn how to enjoy your company alone.
04 | Dress up for yourself.
Getting dolled up isn’t just for others, you know. You, by yourself, are entirely worth dressing up for, whether you’re heading to a bookstore, a local cafe, or even just running a few errands.
Slip on an outfit you feel especially good in, fix your hair, and throw on a little bit of makeup. Pro tip: adding a lovely pair of earrings can make all the difference.
05 | Book a spa day.
Going on a challenging hike, exploring a little nearby town, or heading to a farmer’s market are all loads of fun, but sometimes, the best gift you can give yourself is the gift of relaxation.
An afternoon at a quiet, calming, peaceful spa will do just that. Lounge in a hot tub, go to the steam room, book a massage, or get a facial. See this as your time to unwind and let your anxieties melt away.
06 | Wake up to catch the sunrise.
Maybe you’re someone who’s always up before the sun, or maybe you’re the type to sleep in a bit longer, until the light of a brand-new day wakes you. Either way, carve out time to bask in the sunrise one of these mornings.
Pour yourself a cup of coffee, grab your journal or your Bible, and if possible, head outside to watch the sun paint the sky as it rises over the horizon.
07 | Go on your “perfect date” on your own.
What do you consider to be the perfect date—the kind of date that, when you think about it, makes your “tail wag,” so to speak? Where would you go? What would you do to fill the hours?
Take yourself on that date, whatever it might look like. Grab a latte at your local cafe, browse a bookstore for as long as your heart desires, take yourself to a diner for dinner, or grab an ice cream cone for your stroll.
08 | Sit in the park & paint what you see.
Summertime is all about taking advantage of the opportunity to bask in the outdoors and making the most of the warm weather, which will swiftly begin to disappear in just a couple of months.
Grab a few paint supplies at your local art store, head to a nearby park, and paint whatever you see—it doesn’t have to be perfect. Just have fun. Slip on a pair of headphones and listen to an audiobook or your favorite playlist, bring something cool to sip on (and maybe even something tasty to munch on), and let yourself feel like an artist for an afternoon.
09 | Be a tourist for a day.
Whether you live in a big bustling city or a charming small town, we’re willing to bet that there are a fair amount of areas you haven’t explored and places you’ve been meaning to stop by.
Let yourself be a tourist in your own town or city for a day. Do everything you normally don’t have the time or the energy to do. Go to the art museum, head to the beach, or check out the popular bakery that always has a line out the door.
10 | Sign up for a class.
Yeats said that “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” Why not light that fire for yourself? Whatever you’ve been wanting to learn more about—whether it’s cooking, salsa dancing, French, or pottery—sign up for a class where you’ll get the opportunity to stoke that flame.