Spring is the season of renewal, where nature comes to life again. Usually that’s when we feel like we get our energy and motivation back. For this reason, I think having a spring solo date is the best way to channel this energy and to recharge your batteries.
Despite its rain showers, I love spring and I love finding many different ways to make the most of it. One of them is to have a solo day (or “solo date”), to spend the day by myself and just enjoy life quietly.
Why you should have a solo date
Relationships are crucial in our lives, and it is essential to take care of them and nurture them. For this, a certain amount of intention has to go to it if we want these relationships to truly flourish.
This is true for romantic relationships, for friends and family, but also for the relationship we have with ourselves.
Having a day that you spend solely by yourself and for yourself can be greatly beneficial and it is a form of self-care. It allows you to relax and rest by doing things that are good for your body and soul.
What is a solo date?
To me, a “solo date” means doing things that you love and taking the time to do them with intention.
The point of a solo date is not to be productive, but to enjoy the day without feeling guilty about things that you have to do. It is a day for recharging, disconnecting, resting and feeling grateful.
Regardless of the season, some key components of a solo date are:
- doing things with intention
- spending time by yourself, for yourself
- doing things that make you feel good
- doing something that energises you
- doing something to relax and rest
- feeling grateful for what you have and where you are
What a solo date is not:
- the day to do your house chores or to be productive: you can do some things, only if you think it is good for you
- the day where you feel guilty because you are not doing something that you think is “productive”
- a day of mindless scrolling and binging series or movies on Netflix. The key is to do things with intention.
How to make the most of your solo date
Here’s what I recommend:
- Set a date in your calendar for you solo date, and treat it as a priority
- Decide in advance what you would like to do and find ideas below. You don’t need a precise schedule, but a rough idea is fine
- Look for places to go to, especially if you want to explore new areas of your town
- Stay away from your phone: you can have it for pictures but avoid falling in the “scrolling trap”
- Avoid filling up your day too much: the idea is to have something easy and low-pressure
Enjoy a slow morning
Having a slow morning is the perfect way to kick-start your day by slowing down and feeling grateful. Here are some key components of the perfect slow morning for your spring solo date.
- Wake up fairly early: it doesn’t have to be at 7am, but try to wake up at a time when you’ll feel rested but won’t feel like you have “lost” half of your day.
- Open your windows to let the fresh spring air in: it will help you feel more energised and it is also great for freshening up the air in your room.
- (optional) Put on some soft music
- Stretch the night away: even just 2 minutes of light and easy stretches will do wonders!
- Have a slow breakfast or morning drink: sit outside or by the window, try to take it slow and enjoy the moment. You can read a bit too if you want.
- Feel gratitude: you can write things down in a journal or just think about what you are grateful for.
✨ Do something that energises you
What this means exactly will differ from one person to another, but also from one day to the next. It all depends on how you feel.
Doing something that gives you energy at the start of your day will lift your mood and motivate you for the day. And it can be as short or as long as you like.
These activities could be:
- dance around to some music in your living room
- go on a brisk walk around your neighbourhood or to some specific place (a coffee shop, a bakery, a library, etc.)
- work out at home, at the gym or go to a workout class
- spend some time in the sunshine with happy music
- do some yoga or stretching
- do a quick clean or tidy of your place (do not spend the day doing chores though!)
- anything that gives you energy – bonus points if it means moving your body a bit
☀️ Spend time outside
After a long dreary winter, Spring is the perfect time to make the most of sunny and warmer days. The perfect way to spend your Spring solo date is to spend a considerable portion of it outside.
There are plenty of things you can do, but here are some ideas:
- take a coffee or iced tea to go and explore the area
- pick a Spring recipe and buy ingredients at a farmers’ market
- take a walk in nature (park, flower field, seaside, countryside, etc.)
- read or paint outside
- walk around in a shopping street (and try to find cute spring clothes, decor or notebooks)
- look for treasures at a flea market
- put on a podcast and go on a long walk
🌦️ What if it rains?
If it rains and you don’t want to be outside for too long, you can still enjoy your Spring solo date! Here are some things you could do…
If you don’t mind going outside for a bit (recommended):
- go to a museum (bonus points if there’s a Spring-themed exhibit)
- go shopping for Spring clothes, decor or notebooks
- pick a Spring-related recipe and buy ingredients
If you absolutely want to stay at home:
- bake a cake (my current favourite: lemon and bluberries loaf)
- take care of your potted plants
- read a nice cosy book
- watch a feel-good movie (I find that period dramas are perfect for Spring!)
- doodle, draw or paint something Spring-themed
🧁 Treat yourself
Whether you want to go shopping or just get a little treat, this will make the day feel even more special. You can make it budget-friendly or you can splurge on something you’ve wanted for a long time.
Here are some ideas:
- buy a nice Spring-themed book, ideally with a cute cover
- get a massage, a facial or any treatment at a beauty salon (or do it at home!)
- bake yourself a cake, muffins or cookies (or buy them somewhere)
- take a pastry and coffee in a cute café
- buy yourself flowers
- decorate your apartment with some Spring decor
- find a nice candle with a flowery or fresh scent
- do your nails in nice, pastel colours
🎨 Do something creative or that inspires you
You don’t have to be an artist to be creative or to do something creative. You don’t even have to make something, as long as you feel inspired in the end.
You can pair these things with some of the activities mentioned above, or just do them on your own.
Here are some ideas of creative or inspiring things to do on you Spring solo date:
- draw or paint something from scratch or using a colouring book
- do a puzzle
- read a book (fiction or non-fiction, whatever will leave you more inspired)
- play some music
- try a new food or drink recipe
- think about new habits or goals you want to have
- plan your next solo date or holiday
🌙 Have a relaxing evening
A nice, relaxing evening is the perfect way to wrap up you Spring solo date and feel fresh and relaxed to tackle the rest of your week or the beginning of a new one.
You can watch a show or spend some time on your phone, of course, but it is always best to keep things intentional.
Here’s what you can do (in the order you prefer):
- Have an “everything shower”: scrub your body, wash your hair, put lotion on, whatever makes you feel extra clean and fresh
- Get in a clean pyjama set
- Set a cosy mood: turn off the overhead bright light and turn on softer ones or candles, put on some relaxing music
- Eat a nice home-made meal or order takeout: whichever option will make you feel the best
- Quick tidy of your place: to have a nice clean slate for the next day
- Make yourself a warm cup of herbal tea (or your non-caffeinated drink of choice)
- Read for sometime and/or wrap up your day in a journal
- Early bed-time: to feel rested and relaxed for the next day.
I hope this inspired you to have your very own Spring solo date, or at least to spend some time taking care of yourself and resting! Keep in mind that the idea is not to have a day filled with adventures, but to take your time to slow down and enjoy this day!
