The Art of a Solo Date
Whenever I would have ‘free time’, I would try to fill it with something. If I had an afternoon free or a weekend with no plans, I’d think of something I could be doing. It’s like we’re almost trained to believe that we always have to be doing something productive or social.
Lately, my Fridays have looked a little different.
I’m fortunate to work a four-day week, and Fridays have become my ‘me’ days. No meetings, no deadlines and perhaps most importantly—no expectations. I’ve been taking myself on solo dates, and honestly? They never disappoint me.
I think there is so much beauty of an aimless wander. I’ve been following my mood and being okay with the fact that there is no itinerary.
Some Fridays, it’s about the energy of the city—window shopping (and let’s be real, sometimes actually shopping), grabbing myself an iced hazelnut latte and moving through the crowds.
There is something so liberating about browsing a shop at your own pace, staying in one aisle for twenty minutes if you feel like it, without having to negotiate with a companion. It’s nice not having to worry about pleasing anyone but yourself.
Inevitably, no matter where I start, I always find myself drawn to the water. It’s the natural finish line for my city wanders.
I’ll find a spot to sit, put my headphones on, and just…watch. Something I’ve noticed is that there is an endless, silent movie playing out in front of me every day.
The couple buying ice cream.
The runner looking far more determined than I’ll ever be.
The seagulls hovering with strategic precision.
With my music playing, these moments feel cinematic. The world slows down. I’m just an observer. I’m a human just being.
Now I see being alone as a luxury I give myself. It’s a “reset” button for my brain. By the time I head home, the noise of the work week has been replaced by the rhythm of my favourite playlist and the calm of the tide.
I’m learning that relishing my own company isn’t just nice-to-have—it’s how I stay human in a world that’s always asking for more of my time. There is so much joy, and so much freedom, in simply doing what I want.