20 solo date ideas for beginners

If you’re tired of waiting for someone to take you on a date, have decided to wait on the Lord or take time out to heal, or you’ve recently discovered the concept of solo dating and want to start spending more time alone…this one’s for you! Get ready to plan some memorable solo dates!  

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Table of Contents

• Simple solo date ideas
• Ready to take it to the next level?
• Now its your turn!

Being a single Christian woman was a strange experience at first and often quite lonely. Since I made the decision to relinquish my dating app subscriptions, it sometimes felt as though I was missing out on something. Despite the fact that that dating often drained my time and energy (as well as my purse!), I really missed getting dressed up, going on dates and getting to know people. As much as it was disappointing when sparks didn’t quite fly, there was always an excitement that I could potentially meet the one and something about it just gave me a bit of a buzz. Can you tell I’m a hopeless romantic?

But as I mentioned in my previous blog post, I decided to start solo dating about a year ago and all I can say is that I’ve been having a wonderful time doing so. If anything, I enjoy it more than I ever enjoyed actual dating because it brings me so much peace and fulfilment. However, I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t terrifying to begin with! Going out alone can be very weird, even for the most confident people, but don’t worry! I’ve got you covered and have put together a list of 20 solo date ideas to help you build your confidence and master the art of spending quality time with yourself as you wait for the Lord to establish your marital plans.

Now go and grab your calendar and let’s start arranging some things! P.S – if you’re looking for something to help you keep your calendar up to date and in check, I bought this diary planner a few months ago because life was getting a little hectic. I can’t tell you how helpful it has been in terms of organising my life so that I can keep on top of things. It also has room for notes, as well weekly, monthly and calendar pages. I know we have calendars attached to our phones and email accounts these days but I’m old skool so I carry this little beauty with me everywhere and I love it!

Simple solo date ideas

If the concept of solo dating is new to you and the thought of going out alone still makes you feel a little uncomfortable, then the following solo date ideas are a great way to start developing a sense of comfort and ease in your own company. Spoiler alert – you don’t even need to leave your house for the first two!

#1 Movie night for one at your place

Yes! This counts as a solo date and doesn’t even require you to step outside your home. I love solo movie nights because I can watch whatever I want, whenever I want and if it’s a cheesy movie then no one is around to judge me! I also like to make my solo movie nights even more special by setting my phone to Do Not Disturb so that no one can interrupt or distract me.

#2 DIY spa day

Again, this counts as a solo date and is an amazing way to recharge your social batteries without having to leave the comfort of your own home. Grab yourself a good face mask, foot mask or whatever you fancy and block out a few hours to pamper yourself. There are some great spa playlists on Spotify and Apple Music to help you recreate that spa experience so close your eyes, put your feet up and take it easy.

#3 Go for a drive

Create a driving playlist, pick a destination and just drive. Solo drives are incredible for clearing your head. One of my favourite spots to drive to is Alexandra Palace in North London. I’ve spent many nights parked there, staring out at the breath-taking view. There’s always been something so peaceful about that place and I love it…but pictures never seem to do it any justice.  

#4 Take a long walk

Not only is this a great solo date for beginners, it’s a wonderful form of exercise and a great way to reconnect with yourself and appreciate nature – one of God’s beautiful creations!

#5 Go for a bike ride

Now I do have to confess, I haven’t cycled since I was about 7 years old. I’m a bit of a liability on my own two feet, let alone on two wheels! However, in the same way that I love to walk some very good friends of mine love to cycle. One, in particular, will cycle for miles and loves it because it allows her to go wherever she wants, for as long as she wants, at her own pace. As much as it could never be me, I have to admit it does sound pretty charming!

#6 Grab a coffee

A chai latte for one always hits the spot. To help you overcome nerves or awkwardness you can always lose yourself in a good book or take a journal and spend some time reflecting. I would like to challenge you to sit and take a moment though. Try and be fully present with no headphones, books or distractions. Just stop for a second and observe what’s happening around you. It’s refreshing when you come out of the noise and take a step back from all the distractions to focus on being present.

#7 Visit your local library

I’m not afraid to admit that I STAN the library, especially when I have admin to do! Next time you have important emails to send, assignments to complete, or jobs to apply for, turn these mundane admin tasks into a solo date.

Most of us tend to run to coffee shops with our laptops these days but there’s something about the library atmosphere that motivates you and helps you focus. The free Wi-Fi is also way more reliable and there are tons of resources available to keep you entertained. Getting lost in a good book on a rainy day is also really peaceful and I recommend it!

It may not sound like one of the most exciting solo date ideas, but its definitely practical and productive.

#8 Treat yourself to some retail therapy

I was never the biggest fan of shopping in my teens and early twenties because I’ve always been a little self-conscious and tall, so shopping trips often left me feeling really disappointed. I started shopping on my own in my mid-twenties and now I’ve got to the point where I absolutely LOVE it, even if I don’t buy anything.

Solo shopping has increased my confidence and encouraged me to trust myself and my judgement because you don’t have anyone with you to give you a second opinion. There is nothing worse (for me anyway) than traipsing around shops that you don’t want to be in with someone who is taking their sweet time, wants to look at or try on everything and generally just has no idea what they want. I don’t have the energy for it, I don’t like it and it makes me super tired.

#9 Visit a local market and try some new foods or products

Markets are very busy places so you can easily blend in without it being noticeable that you’re on your own. A good market almost always has something for everyone and going solo means that you can focus on the things that interest you and take as much time as you need to browse the things that appeal to you the most. I also selfishly love solo dates at markets because I’m a massive foodie and I LOVE trying new food…especially when I don’t have to share any of it!

#10 Visit a museum or gallery 

Two words – uninterrupted focus! I was never a big fan of museums or galleries until I visited Fotografiska, the photography museum in Stockholm. Don’t get me wrong it is an incredible place but I genuinely believe that the reason why I loved it so much was because I went on my own. Going on a solo date made it more of a personal experience because I fully immersed myself in the exhibitions in my own time without any interference.

I would also recommend visiting a museum or gallery as a great solo date for beginners because the experience tends to distract you from thinking about the fact that you’re on your own!

Ready to take it to the next level?

Started your solo dating journey but want to challenge yourself a little further? Don’t worry…I’ve got you covered! Here are another 10 exciting solo date ideas that will take your solo dating experience to the next level.

#1 Take yourself out for lunch

Stop getting your lunch to go! I challenge you to block out 30 minutes of your day and spend that time having lunch with yourself. It may feel weird at first but I promise you the more you do it, the easier it becomes. This has become one of my favourite solo date ideas. I love taking myself to lunch these days because it feels like such a little treat and I find it less intimidating than taking myself out for dinner!

#2 Go to the cinema

If you need some downtime and fancy some escapism, heading to the cinema is another great idea for a solo date. You get to choose the film, the time and the place without having to worry about pleasing anyone else. It’s also easier to hide the fact that you’re alone being as it’s so dark!

#3 Be a tourist in your city for the day or go and explore a new one

Sometimes we don’t always appreciate what’s on our doorstep until it’s gone! Why not spend a day exploring your city as if you’ve never been there before? Alternatively, if you’re feeling brave why not discover another city instead?

Between Trip Advisor and travel blogs, it’s now easier than ever to find things to do in your city as well as others. From walking and bike tours to parks and public gardens or local community events – there is so much out there for you to see and do. Travelling alone locally is also a great way to boost your confidence and self-trust, especially if you want to work towards solo travel abroad in the future.

#4 Visit a spa or wellness centre

I think it’s fair to say that this could be one of the greatest forms of self-care ever and possibly one of the most effective ways to recharge your social batteries. Going to a spa alone is a great way to practice and prioritise self-care and will work wonders for your mood and well-being. I guarantee you’ll leave there feeling like a new person!

#5 Grab a drink during happy hour

I have to admit this is another favourite of mine – but then again most Londoners love getting two drinks for the price of one because they are so flipping expensive down here!

Going out for a drink on your own is always a little risky, but I feel a lot safer grabbing a drink around this sort of time as opposed to late in the evening when places become busier and it starts to get dark. You could even squeeze this in before a night out with friends to make it that little bit safer or to dip your toes in first. Next time you’re due to meet with people why not head to the venue or area an hour or so beforehand and have a cheeky little moment to yourself before the chaos?

Whatever you decide to do, please drink responsibly and let someone know what you’re up too.

#6 Take some dance or fitness classes

This one will push you out of your comfort zone for sure! I’ve taken quite a few fitness classes on my own over the years but I recently signed up for beginners salsa lessons which was something I’d wanted to do for years.

Starting salsa classes has to be one of the scariest yet most empowering things I’ve ever done. I was so nervous on the drive over to my first lesson but when I finally got there everyone else was equally as nervous and you kind of find comfort in that. Also, the instructors are mindful that this can be a daunting experience and try their best to make it as comfortable as possible. I promise you this isn’t as scary as it sounds, you just need to go for it and you’ll feel so empowered once your first class is done!

#7 Try a pottery class

If you fancy tapping into your artistic side, why not give pottery a try? Several health benefits are also associated with this therapeutic and creative outlet. For example, did you know that pottery is a great stress reliever and can help reduce arthritis? Me neither!

#8 Volunteer for an organisation or project that is close to your heart

Sometimes we are very quick to take, but aren’t very quick to give! So many charities, projects and services are crying out for volunteers – why not use some of your spare time to do something rewarding and positively impact your community? This is a solo date idea that will help you meet like-minded individuals and could even help you learn some new skills.

#9 Try a cookery class

Even if you consider yourself a good cook, there is so much to gain from cooking classes whether its new skills, secrets from professional chefs or new friends. Cooking classes make fantastic solo dates because they are a really fun, hands-on experience. (But then again, anything that involves food gets my vote!)

#10 Go and see a show at the theatre

Listen, I know going to the theatre has always been a social event but let’s be honest, you can’t speak to anyone during the entire performance and spend most of the interval either queuing up for the bar or the toilets. It’s also much easier to get good seats when you’re only buying one ticket! Lastly, there are so many incredible productions out there at the moment that it is pretty difficult to find a show that doesn’t tickle your fancy.

Now its your turn!

Trying new things on your own takes some getting used to, but I promise you that your confidence and independence will improve so much once you start to get the hang of it. Before you know it you will not only trust yourself a lot more but will also have created a ton of meaningful memories and experiences that will last a lifetime.

Now I’ve done my bit by giving you 20 solo date ideas, so what are you waiting for? Go and organise some dates and show yourself some love because you deserve it!

Blessings

Liv x