Solo Dates For Boosting Self-care: How To Date Yourself

Have you ever muttered the words, “Table for one, please?” If you have, you know the struggle between wanting to enjoy yourself even without another person but also feeling completely stressed and embarrassed about being alone. Going on solo dates is not for everyone but I do believe everyone should try at least once! Who knows… maybe you’ll love your own company so much you’ll do it again!
How to date yourself
So let’s just get the awkward wiki-how version of this out of the way… how do you date yourself?
You go out on dates that you might do with another person but instead, you go alone. You take yourself on a date!
Now that’s out of the way, let’s talk about how you can go about this without feeling like a total weirdo.
Start out small
If you are new to solo dates try something small first like going to a coffee shop and sitting alone or going to the park and watching the birds.
I started by going to Starbucks and enjoying a coffee, reading a book or working on something I enjoy on the computer, and staying for at least 30 minutes.
It helped me get comfortable with being alone around other people. The best part about coffee shops or parks is that so many people go to those places alone so you won’t feel as awkward as you might at a restaurant.
Try a place you’ve gone before
Generally, if you’ve already gone somewhere you will feel more comfortable. You’ll know the lay of the land!
Maybe try a café you’ve been to before with friends or go to a movie theater you are familiar with so you’ll know where everything is.
Have something to keep you busy
Depending on what you’re doing, you might want a bit of a distraction. Sitting on your phone is okay if you’re waiting for someone but if you’re trying to date yourself you’ll want to avoid it. How annoying is it when you’re on a date and the other person is just on their phone the whole time?! Don’t do that to yourself!
If you are at a coffee shop, bring a book. If you are going for a hike, listen to an audiobook (with only one earbud in, of course, safety first!!). If you are at a restaurant, bring a notepad to journal.
Get ready and feel good
When you go on a solo date you need to feel good. There is merit to the whole “look good, feel good” thing. The more put together and fabulous you look the more confident you’ll feel and let’s be real, you might need that confidence boost on your first solo date!
So do your makeup, curl your hair, and put a cute outfit on (or whatever makes you feel most beautiful).

Solo date ideas for self-care
Now you are ready for your solo date but where should you go? You need a bit of a boost because life lately has been #hard and some self-care would be the perfect thing.
Here are 10 solo dates to go on that would fill your self-care cup:
1 – spa
The spa is the perfect solo date because everything is made for one! Get a massage or a facial. Get your nails done. Enjoy being pampered!
2 – movie date
Going to the movies alone is a great solo date if you’re a little nervous because you will be sitting in the dark! Grab some popcorn, your fav candies, grab a corner seat, and enjoy the show!
3 – walk on the water
Water has a way of calming you down. I love water and the connection I feel to nature when I’m near it. Doesn’t matter if it’s a lake, the ocean, the river… It’s so relaxing and rejuvenating.
Spend some time with yourself and walk along some water. Listen to the sounds and acknowledge how connected you feel to the earth while you do it.
4 – bookstore
My all-time favorite solo date!! You have to get a coffee first so you can walk around and browse all the amazing books with your yummy drink.
Do you have to buy a book? Nope! However, if you’re like me you will not leave empty handed 😅
5 – cooking class
As they say, the way to a person’s heart is through their stomach! Show yourself some love by learning to cook something new.
Find a local cooking class and treat yourself to an awesome experience. You may even meet other people on solo dates and make some friends! Win-win
6 – wander in a museum
It’s always fun to look around a museum and ponder the artwork and interesting things!
I love a good history museum because I’m a bit of a history nerd but any museum will do.
It’s usually a quiet place and you’ll see lots of other people walking around alone, thinking quietly to themselves. Sometimes all you need for a little self-care is quiet time.
7 – get professional photos taken
Professional photos are so fun! It’s a great way to spend an afternoon AND you’ll have beautiful photos to remember your day.
Usually, you spend the whole time smiling and laughing because the photographer gets you doing some silly things. Laughter is a surefire way to make you feel fulfilled and happy.
8 – yoga class
Your body needs movement so why not go to a yoga class alone? It’s another good solo date because no one really talks and everyone focuses on themselves.
You can get some exercise while also relaxing and being one with your body and mind.
Related read: Easy Ways To Increase Your Daily Movement (+ Enjoy It)
9 – visit a local garden
Some places have botanical gardens and they are absolutely STUNNING!
Go walk around the gardens and look at the beautiful flowers. I’m sure you’ll also see some butterflies and other interesting things in the gardens.
Smelling the flowers and surrounding yourself with natural beauty is perfect for a self-care date day! You might even be able to buy yourself some flowers at the end!
10 – enjoy a cocktail at a fancy lounge
Feeling a little fancy? Head to a cool lounge in a cute little outfit and enjoy a cocktail.
Hotels would be a great spot because so many people are just stopping through for business or other reasons so you might feel more comfortable!
Sometimes self-care means having a fancy girly drink or two in a cute dress. I 100% approve this message.


In conclusion
Look, going on solo dates can be a bit scary. What will people think of me? Is everyone looking at me? Do they think I’m a loser?
Just remember that most people are hyper-focused on themselves. Have you ever seen a person alone at a coffee shop and thought, “Wow what a loser!” No.
No one is thinking about you. No one is looking and judging you. You are just so worried about YOURSELF that you think everyone else is too… you’re not that important okay? In the nicest way of course!!
So, get out there and treat yourself to a fun and relaxing solo date. I can’t wait to hear all about them in the comments. Tell me everything bestie!

I love the concept of solo dates. I’ve always done them – watch me sound like a grandma and be like “I did them before they were cool” – and recently I’m trying to do more of them. I did just recently, when I went to a lovely French inspired coffee and got a pastry for breakfast, took a stroll, purchased some books…
It’s absolutely a beautiful thing to do and I really don’t understand why people think it’s somehow sad or impossibile to do such things. I keep getting weird looks when I mention of wanting to go outside alone
I love this so much!! People miss out on so many things because they wait on other people. It does take some getting used to if you’ve never done it but it’s fun! Plus you can literally do whatever you want without having to make someone else happy haha it’s perfect!
Great self care ideas – it makes me feel good to even just think about doing some of these dates.
Love that!!
Love this post and the idea of solo dates! It’s something I’ll have to explore. Also, love the ideas you give at the end. I look forward to reading more articles!
Hope you have fun if you try them out 🙂
Love all these ideas and try to do many of them! Just went to a coffee shop this morning 🙂
So fun!! Love a good coffee shop solo date 🙂
I forgot about solo dates and definitely need to start doing it! Great article.
Have a great time!!
Awesome ideas! A solo movie date and visiting the local garden are definitely on my list in the near future 🙂
Yay happy to hear that!
I love this idea! I guess I’ve been doing this occasionally over the years. when there’s a little bit of time to myself, I just enjoy the break and do something that I LIKE. Coffee shop + book is my favourite.
Solo dates to the bookstore are my fav!!!
I have been thinking about this a lot recently. Thank you for sharing this. It has defiantly given me the push I needed to solo-date x
Love that!! Have the best solo date 🙂
Lol… How to date yourself got me. Self-care is the best care. Thanks for the tips.
Hahah glad you enjoyed!!
Solo dates to the nearby coffee shop is my absolute favorite. There’s something magic in enjoying a cup of jo with your own company.
I totally agree!!
This is right on time. I just took myself out to lunch today. I wanted a solo date to celebrate my upcoming birthday. Alone time is crucial for self-care. These are some great tips, thanks for sharing!
So fun!! Happy early birthday 🙂