You know, I didn’t think there would be a time (so soon anyway) when I would be suggesting guidance on how one can master enjoying the delight of one’s alone time, but here we are.

Let’s be fair, up until a few years ago, the idea of eating, travelling, or partaking in any sort of activity previously deemed as a group one would always raise a few eyebrows, depending on the audience you were speaking to and the said activity.

But with the changing cultural and societal landscapes of 2025, the ever-evolving attitudes towards dating, family, and social life come a simultaneous need for encouraging people to consider alternative ways of doing life in a creative, productive and fulfilling manner.

Taking yourself out, alone, is one way of doing so. Whether on a small or large scale, there is immense beauty and satisfaction in learning and mastering the art. It builds confidence, pushes you out of your comfort zone, and becomes something of a superpower once you truly have it down.

Continue reading below for some ideas and inspiration, based on personal experiences that may help spark a new and exciting perspective on enjoying alone time with yourself.

HOW TO MASTER THE ART OF THE SOLO DATE (ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD):

Spend time at home alone first.

This is how I started. Plan a day or evening at home by yourself. Perhaps with an inviting lineup of your favourite activities – Baths, reading, movies, cooking for one, painting, a delightful 12-14hour sleep by turning in early – these are all fantastic ways to start nurturing your self-connection, which is where the art of the solo “date” begins.

It takes some practice, especially if you have never lived alone or had to be alone in any capacity before. But with time and some focused effort, you will get there.

Pick up a portable hobby.

For me, it’s this blog and reading. Reading is fantastic because not only does it give you a healthy break from your devices, but it is also a great conversation starter and a way to escape if you’re in any less-than-interesting situations.

You can journal, try calligraphy with mini-sets, vlog, take your or other people’s dogs for walks, the list goes on, if you give it some time and thought.

Follow your genuine interests and stay within your comfort zone.

This one is important to drive you to pursue a solo time in the long term. Don’t do things that feel like a chore or that are uncharacteristic of your true personality. If you are planning on spending more than a few hours by yourself, and especially if you are planning on spending a few days or weeks, it’s crucial to plan according to your authentic tastes.

Whether that be travelling places that YOU want to see, rather than what you’re seeing on your Instagram feed, visiting museums because you care about what they contain, or heading to a concert, picking a solo time pleasure that aligns makes a world of difference.

(Also make sure you are always safe, comfortable and connected to WiFi any time you are enjoying solo time away).

Make a day or night of it.

It’s hard to explain the appeal of getting lost in a city or neighbourhood for endless hours if you haven’t experienced it firsthand.

It can go coffee-museum-lunch-cocktail-coffee with a book–dinner. The options are truly endless. And the best part is that you can recreate the routine anywhere in the world.

Start local, then branch out.

Spending any sort of time on social media as a young person these days has most likely exposed you to the plethora of people embarking on solo trips around the world. And while this may seem dreamy, and it is, there is certainly a downside. Learning how to navigate language barriers, wrong directions, being approached by those you’d rather not – all take some practice, which is best acquired on home turf first.

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Thank you for taking the time to read this article. I hope what you have read has somehow educated, informed, or inspired you.

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