26 Ways To Rock Solo Date Night

I am super excited to know that so many of you have decided to take on the challenge of having your own date night- go you!  Whether its one night a week or one night a month, choosing to dedicate consistent and regular quality time to yourself is one of the most emotionally rewarding decisions that you can ever make.

Just picture it – no distractions, no disappointments, no compromises, no pressure, no hidden agendas.  Just pure, reliable, relaxed fun and adventures with someone who is always good company and who always delivers – YOU!

Now I myself am a creature of habit so I always find myself doing the same three activities every week for date night.  Recently, I decided to spice things up a bit in order to keep my relationship with myself fresh!  After some heavy researching :) I crafted a list of some awesome date night ideas for those of you who are looking to begin your journey.

Solo Date Night Activities

1. Picture Perfect

Your cell phone selfies can only impress you so much.  See yourself in a new light and book a session with a professional photographer. I DARE you to try photographing your alter ego! How awesome would it be to see yourself as the complete opposite of what you see when you look in the mirror?!

2. Nature Calls

When was the last time you disconnected from the constant noise and demands of life? Connecting with the outdoors can be both extremely peaceful and exhilarating.  Have you been horseback riding? Canoeing? Sailing? Kayaking? Camping? Sky diving? Zip lining? Skiing? Scuba diving? Rock climbing?  Hiked a trail?  If you said no to any of these, you have some work to do!   The sky is the limit – literally!

3. Taste of [Insert Your City Here]

Have you explored all of the restaurants or mom & pop spots in your city?  Something tells me you haven’t.  Take the day off to stop by random food joints and sample various things off of the menu.  Try some foods that you’ve never heard of and document your experience with pictures or videos!

4. “Weather” Or Not

Chicago offers a great outdoor experience in the summer:  jazz festivals, walk-up chess competitions, carnivals, concerts, etc.  Find out what outdoor events your city puts on and go check them out!  Pack a blanket and a simple lunch (some wine, fruit, cheese and chocolate would be delish) and enjoy the nice weather along with some live entertainment!

5. Shopping With a Twist

Want to have fun without breaking the bank? Set an item or dollar limit to your shopping experience for a twist!  Or step outside of your comfort zone and try a new shop or boutique.  Clothes aren’t the only thing that you can shop for. though.  Games, movies, puzzles, music and books make for a fun shopping experience as well.  Oh, and pace yourself…there’s no one to rush you when you’re flying solo!

6.  Get Schooled

Use your date nights to stimulate your mind or improve a skill!  Does your cooking taste like garbage?  Learn to own the kitchen with a baking or cooking class.  Summon your future lover by learning a new instrument.  Embrace your artistic side with a photography, painting or pottery class.  Into fitness?  Join a kickball league, yoga or dance class! Add to your resume with a foreign language or real estate class.  Heck, maybe you can use date nights to go back to school and finish your degree!  Groupon, local community colleges, the gym and the newspaper are great places to start looking…

7. Chef For a Day

I’m sure you’ve bookmarked a few recipes from “Tasty” on Facebook.  Find a new recipe and put some TLC into making yourself an amazing dinner or dessert.  Don’t forget to set the mood with Pandora.  For a little fun, imagine that someone special is coming over for dinner and go to work on that stove!

8. Netflix & Chill 2.0

Most of us have already had a Netflix & Chill solo date.  Spice this one up with a different wine and a different flavor ice cream.  Or try ordering in (Chinese food and pizza are two of my favorites).  If you’ve worn your Netflix out, ask your Facebook friends to suggest some good Netflix movies or TV shows and start refilling your instant que!

9. Eat Your Heart Out

Who says that going out to eat is only for +1?  Stop waiting on someone to take you to that new restaurant you’ve been eyeing and make your appearance!  Get so fly and sexy that when you walk in, people can’t help but wonder who you’re meeting up with.  Don’t be surprised if you get approached while looking oh so good by your lonesome.  But bring a book or a fully charged phone for web browsing in case they don’t :).

10. Showtime

If you want something easy and versatile, this is it!  Choose between a night film or a matinee…between your regular theater or a new one.  I personally prefer theaters that allow me to dine in or to BYOB ;).  Spice up your movie night by picking your movie totally at random.  That’s right- just show up at the theater and pick from whatever is playing next.  Most importantly, don’t be afraid to splurge on yourself.  If you want those expensive nachos or that overpriced bag of candy, treat yourself. It’s your night and you deserve it!

11. Pamper Day: Massage, Mani & Pedi

How could you possibly go wrong with a day of being pampered? Let someone rub the kinks and tension away with oils and hot stones.  Just close your eyes and dip off to your fantasy world. No worries…no stress…just a release.  And there’s no need to feel insecure about your body either – the masseuse has seen it all!.

12. X Marks the Spot

Create a list of all of the places you’ve wanted to explore in your city, but have never had the time to visit.  Now go make time!  Take the city on with a mission and a camera.  You don’t want to forget this moment.

13. Overnight Staycation

Taking a vacation in your own city is a great way to travel on a budget.  Look up the best hotels and resorts in your city and find one that’ll make you feel like royalty.  Since you won’t be needing a rental or flight, you can afford to splurge on all of the amenities: bar, pool, gym, room service, sauna, whatever your heart desires!  Or try out a Virtual Vacation for a new experience.

14. Swag Night

Depending on how many hours you work or how many kids you have, your sexy black dress is quite possibly collecting mothballs in the back of your closet.  Time to change that!  Find the perfect outfit to remind yourself of what a baddie you are.  Get dressed up and go strut your stuff!

15. Coffee Shop Creative

Are you behind with blogging?  Grab a table at a quaint, neighborhood coffee shop or at a sidewalk cafe and put that public WiFi to use.  Catch up on some overdo reading with your laptop or start working on your next masterpiece.  A chocolate mocha frappe should definitely inspire the creative in you!

16. Road Trippin’

Being on the road can be therapeutic in itself.  Take a long drive somewhere, maybe even a road trip to a neighboring city!  Don’t forget to bring your iPod along for the ride and let some throwback songs take you down memory lane.  Wait for that beautiful, sunshine day so that you can roll the windows down and let your hair blow in the wind!

17. Break The Internet

While we typically aim to break away from social media, date night can be used to do the exact opposite!  Spend the night expanding your social network for either personal or professional gain.  Maybe even revamp the look of your profile to attract more followers and fans!  Or sign up for a new social network and have fun meeting some new people!

18. Let’s Get Physical

Staying physically active is not just good for your health, its also good for your self-confidence and mood.  As the sweat rolls off of your soon-to-be banging body, the stresses of life will do the same.  Exercising may seem like a drag initially, but once your body starts releasing endorphins aka “happy chemicals”, you’ll have a change of heart – literally.

19. Pinterest PROJECTion

How many DIY projects have you pinned but never made time to actually do?  It may be time to bring out the artist in you!  Start with a small craft project like making jewelry or wall decorations.  For a larger project, try sprucing up furniture or flipping a home.  Sort through any old and unused items in your home and start creating!

20. Soul Sessions

Music, laughter and the arts are always good for the soul!  Make a night of feeding your soul with some spoken word or with the sounds of a live jazz band.  Stressed out and need a release? Let some comedians help you relax and unwind at your local comedy club!  Good music, good aromas and deep thinkers – I’m thinking Love Jones here.

21. Facebook’N

Facebook is great for more than just socializing.  In the Events section of Facebook, you’ll find a list of upcoming events happening in your city!  Check out which events appeal to you, then see which of your friends are attending and invite more to tag along!

22. ReVision Board 

When was the last time you  you’ve revisited your dreams and goals?  As we grow, change and mature, so do our wants for our future.  Do some spring cleaning in your Pinterest closet and start a whole new board dedicated to new, doable destinations and goals for yourself!  Look at your board daily until you start turning your dreams into reality!

23. Self Donation

Giving back to others is a great way to give to yourself.  Find a children’s hospital and read to the kids.  Find a homeless shelter or kitchen that could use a helping hand.  Go through your closet and donate any unused clothes to the needy.  Spend some time visiting the elderly at a nursing home.  Or think outside of the box and create your own volunteer project! You’re sure to meet some awesome new friends too :)

24. Unplug

Turn off the computer.  Turn off your phone.  Turn off the TV.  Every electronic device that you own – turn it off.  Allow yourself to feel human for a day and connect with people the old-fashioned way.  See if you remember how to have fun without social media or heavy technology.  You’ll be surprised at how refreshed you feel when you stop refreshing your Facebook News Feed so much.

25. Feed Your Spirit

Are you in touch with your spiritual side?  Date night is a great time to strengthen your spiritual journey.  Be it through meditation, prayer, church, Bible study, yoga, tai chi…spiritual exercises help you to align your sense of self with a larger reality; heightening your self awareness and peace of mind.

26. Truly Therapeutic 

To date yourself is to get to know yourself. What better way to do that than to sort out your thoughts and feelings with someone who can help you dig deeper.  Heck, we could all use someone to talk to who won’t judge us or distance themselves from us afterwards.  Who knows, you may even learn some new techniques to change the quality of your life!

What activity are you planning on trying for your first or next date night?

Sources and other media: Thought Catalog, TapGenes, RedBook, She Knows, Mind Body Green, Shape,

  NosyJosie